The cargo plane will be able to land on unpaved lanes of less than 800 meters.
Natilus, a company that develops unmanned cargo planes, has successfully performed several flights of a scaled-down model of the Kona regional jet. informs TOP. These tests marked an important milestone for both the company itself and the entire unmanned cargo aviation industry, confirming the results of three years of aerodynamic testing in a wind tunnel.
These tests tested the performance of a unique mixed-wing fuselage (BWB) aircraft design. A scaled down version of the Kona jet took off from a special runway in Southern California and reached a top speed of 112 km/h. One of the main problems with the BWB design was stability, and flight tests showed that the Natilus configuration could fly without the aid of a complex autopilot system.
The remote-controlled Kona aircraft will be able to carry more than four tons of cargo and open up new markets around the world. The developers say that their UAV is a breakthrough in the logistics industry, providing an efficient and cost-effective solution for transporting goods between countries.
Also, Natilus says the cargo plane will help solve the pilot shortage problem for cargo ships currently being observed around the world. Using Kona will allow air cargo operators to expand their capabilities without sacrificing safety or efficiency.
Natilus plans to become the largest commercial drone cargo operator as early as 2024, and the Kona model will help open up new markets for air cargo, as the aircraft can land and take off from unpaved runways as short as 800 meters.
Previously Focus Sirtap reported that 500 million euros were invested in the drone: Why is this drone so important?
Source: Focus
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