Delivery Truck Under Consideration Can Launch Package-Carrying Aircraft

As the U.S. Postal Service looks to upgrade its fleet of delivery vehicles, one of the companies has offered an electric truck that could also serve as a platform for launching UAVs.

The Federal Times reports that Workhorse Group has proposed a system that includes an electric truck called "Workhorse" and a UAV capable of carrying a fairly large package called the "Horsefly."  Duane Hughes, director of sales for the Workhorse Group, said that the company is "confident" that its "integrated drone technology on top of our electric truck is the best solution for the Postal Service."

He also says it would be the lowest-cost solution.

The company says that the UAV weighs about 15 pounds, and can carry a package up to 10 pounds. The aircraft can fly up to 50 miles per hour.

The USPS is looking to buy up to 180,000 vehicles at $25,000 to $35,000 each, for a potential contract value of more than $4.5 billion. The would need to last at least 20 years.

The Post Office will issue an RFP for the new vehicles in May. It will award multiple contracts for prototype vehicles and then make a selection.

(Images provided by the Workhorse Group)

FMI: http://workhorse.com