Carol Collins
PteroDynamics will provide three vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial system prototypes to support a program under the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
The company said Monday the VTOL aircraft design will be used for the Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS, an autonomous vehicle intended to deliver cargo to and from ships at sea.
According to an analysis from the Military Sealift Command and the Fleet Forces, 90 percent of the V-22 aircraft and helicopters’ critical repair cargo deliveries weighed less than 50 pounds. The VTOL unmanned aircraft is considered to fill this requirement and allow the crew aircraft to attend to more important missions.
“Our design is well suited for operations on ships where windy conditions and tight spaces challenge other VTOL aircraft during takeoffs and landings,” said Val Petrov, PteroDynamics’ founder and CTO.
The delivery of cargo VTOL aircraft will be made under a contract with NAWCAD.
In November 2020, NAWCAD acquired the Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS prototype for the demonstration of long-range cargo transport at the Naval Air Station in Patuxent River.
