Autonomous Cargo Aircraft Facility Inbound to San Diego

Natilus has announced an expansion to its operations at San Diego, California's Brown Field to prepare for mass production of their short-haul feeder UAV. 

Manufacture of the first aircraft in the Natilus family, an uncrewed cargo hauler sporting a 3.8 ton payload, has begun in preparation for its first flight in early 2023. The Brown Field facility includes a 12,000 square-foot hangar for prototype final assembly, structural testing, system's integration and the extensive secondary structural binding required to complete the aircraft. Brown features an 8,000-foot runway perfect for testing, along with sufficient space for the company to land large, oversized cargo aircraft. Along with the hangar expansion, Natilus says they will create an additional 1,500 feet of office space to supplement their engineering offices in downtown San Diego. They're happy to have outgrown their current accommodations. 

“As the design of the prototype aircraft nears completion, we are expanding the team and facilities to move into final assembly,” said Aleksey Matyushev, Natilus CEO. “Our tier-one suppliers are excited about the new platform which will reduce carbon emissions while increasing cargo volume. On continents, such as Africa and parts of Asia, with limited infrastructure, our new 3.8T autonomous aircraft will become an essential mode of rapid and safe transportation.”

They've had more than just the expansion in the works, too. In March they inked a deal with Collins Aerospace for the design, development, and integration of a specialized loading system for their cargo operations, a sometimes underappreciated aspect of logistics that could have outsized effects on the brand's uptake once it reaches the market. Future designs range from the initial, small entry aircraft all the way to a 130-ton long-range hauler. Natilus plans on using JetA or SAF where possible, as well as standardized infrastructure and air cargo containers where possible. Earlier this year they announced commitments of more than $6 billion for the delivery of more than 440 aircraft across a number of customers. 

FMI: www.Natilus.co