Boeing on Wednesday unveiled a new unmanned electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) cargo air vehicle (CAV) prototype that will be used to test and evolve company’s autonomy technology for future aerospace vehicles.
It is designed to transport a payload up to 500 pounds for possible future cargo and logistics applications.
"This flying cargo air vehicle represents another major step in our Boeing eVTOL strategy," said Boeing Chief Technology Officer Greg Hyslop. "We have an opportunity to really change air travel and transport, and we'll look back on this day as a major step in that journey."
In less than three months, a team of engineers and technicians across the company designed and built the CAV prototype. It successfully completed initial flight tests at Boeing Research & Technology's Collaborative Autonomous Systems Laboratory in Missouri.
Boeing researchers will use the prototype as a flying test bed to mature the building blocks of autonomous technology for future applications. Boeing HorizonX, with its partners in Boeing Research & Technology, led the development of the CAV prototype, which complements the eVTOL passenger air vehicle prototype aircraft in development by Aurora Flight Sciences, a company acquired by Boeing late last year.
"Our new CAV prototype builds on Boeing's existing unmanned systems capabilities and presents new possibilities for autonomous cargo delivery, logistics and other transportation applications," said Steve Nordlund, Boeing HorizonX vice president. "The safe integration of unmanned aerial systems is vital to unlocking their full potential. Boeing has an unmatched track record, regulatory know-how and systematic approach to deliver solutions that will shape the future of autonomous flight."
Powered by an environmentally-friendly electric propulsion system, the CAV prototype is outfitted with eight counter rotating blades allowing for vertical flight. It measures 15 feet long (4.57 meters), 18 feet wide (5.49 meters) and 4 feet tall (1.22 meters), and weighs 747 pounds (339 kilograms).
The Pentagon has awarded Boeing with a $115 million contract to provide logistics services and support for P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft for the US Navy and the government of Australia. “The Boeing Co
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Boeings KC-46 tanker program an Amended Type Certificate (ATC) for its core 767-2C aircraft configuration, verifying that the fundamental design of the KC-46 tanker is safe and reliable. The 767-2C is a modified version of the companys commercial 767 with revised structure, wiring and plumbing
Boeing has announced its investment in Gamma Alloys, a developer of advanced metal-matrix composites and nanotechnogy based material for use in aerospace, automotive and other industries. "With funding from Boeing, we will explore compelling applications across demanding industries such as aerospace while accelerating our nanoparticle material development and the full-scale industrialization of our manufacturing processes," said Gamma Alloys CEO Mark Sommer
Boeing and Near Earth Autonomy, a Pittsburgh-based company announced a partnership to explore products and applications in autonomous mobility for defence and civilian applications. Boeing also announced its investment in Near Earth Autonomy which will be through Boeing HorizonX Ventures
EmbraerX, an Embraer organization, unveiled Tuesday its first electrical Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft concept during Uber Elevate 2018, in Los Angeles, California. EmbraerX is engaged in several projects, including the development of eVTOL concepts through a cooperation with Uber and other companies to explore business opportunities within the Uber Elevate ecosystem
Boeing and Adient joint venture, Adient Aerospace will develop, manufacture and sell a portfolio of seating products to airlines and aircraft leasing companies. The seats will be available for installation on new airplanes and as retrofit configurations for aircraft produced by Boeing and other commercial airplane manufacturers, Boeing said in a statement Tuesday
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