Delivery For 3 VTOL Prototypes In The Works

PteroDynamics, an aircraft design and manufacturing company that develops innovative VTOL aircraft, reveals it has secured a contract with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. The contract includes delivery of 3 VTOL prototypes for the Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS program. 

In a 2018 analysis, the Military Sealift Command and Fleet Forces Command found that 90% of critical repair cargo delivered at sea weighed less than 50 pounds. Thus, a need for the US Navy to develop technology to deliver cargo with UAS was realized.

Utilizing this uncrewed system frees up more time for crewed missions to refocus and execute other pressing missions.

“We are honored to be selected for this important project,” said Matthew Graczyk, PteroDynamics’ CEO. “This contract is the start of an important partnership, and we look forward to delivering the prototypes to NAWCAD.”

“This is an exciting milestone for our distinctive VTOL aircraft,” added Val Petrov, PhD, PteroDynamics’ founder and CTO. “Our design is well suited for operations on ships where windy conditions and tight spaces challenge other VTOL aircraft during takeoffs and landings.”

“Using unmanned, autonomous aircraft for delivery of these critical payloads is an important capability for the Navy to have,” said Blue Water’s project lead, Bill Macchione. “The innovative design of PteroDynamics offers significant potential for both military and civilian missions.”

The Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS is being evaluated by NAWCAD engineers, testers and military test pilots. In 2019, it was selected from a group of more than 65 UAS platforms. 

FMI: https://www.pterodynamics.com