Pipistrel announced the successful initial hover flight of the Nuuva V300, a hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) unmanned aircraft with long-range and large-capacity capabilities. This achievement signifies progress in the creation of advanced, sustainable, and versatile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The Nuuva V300 is designed to carry nearly a 300kg payload across distances reaching 300 nautical miles and is capable of operating on both smooth and rugged surfaces. Featuring a nose-loading design, it simplifies the cargo-loading process for operators and allows for different payload configurations. With a capacity of over 2.9m³, it can hold up to three cargo pallets or be loaded with loose cargo, enhancing its adaptability for various logistics needs.
“We are thrilled to witness the Nuuva V300’s first flight, a demonstration of our leadership in emerging technology and advanced air mobility, as well as our commitment to multi-purpose aviation solutions,” shared Kriya Shortt, President & CEO of Textron eAviation. “The Nuuva V300’s unique capabilities and robust design will not only transform logistics but also play a crucial role in commercial and defence missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and ship-to-shore deliveries.”
“Today’s milestone is a testament to the hard work and innovative spirit of our team at Pipistrel,” added Gabriel Massey, President & Managing Director of Pipistrel. “The Nuuva’s first flight demonstrates Pipistrel’s strength in electric propulsion and dedication to advancing the aviation industry through our active involvement in research programs and our successful collaboration with regulatory agencies, including our recent operational authorization from the Italian Civil Air Authority (ENAC).”
Featuring a zero-emission electric vertical take-off powertrain along with a distinct cruise propulsion system, the Nuuva V300 offers exceptional flexibility and independence from runways. It uses proprietary battery systems developed in-house, guaranteeing efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective performance. This distinctive blend of technologies allows the Nuuva V300 to function across diverse environments.
The Nuuva V300 is overseen remotely by an operator at the ground control station, created in collaboration with Textron Systems, another company under Textron Inc. This setup allows for fully automated point-and-click operations. Textron Systems brings decades of expertise in designing, producing, and deploying uncrewed command and control systems, with millions of operational UAS flight hours supporting various U.S. Army Programs of Records.
The aircraft, featuring automatic Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight capabilities, will shift from vertical to forward flight using its wings and adhere to the latest flight plan until it lands. The initial air vehicle is driven by a fly-by-wire, triple-redundant flight control system provided by Honeywell.
To aid in the ongoing expansion of the aircraft's flight envelope, a second Nuuva V300 air vehicle will be added to the flight program in 2025. This inclusion will boost the aircraft's performance and guarantee it adheres to the highest standards of safety and reliability.
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