Unmanned aircraft systems are the wave of the future and are
being used to usher in even more technological advances in unmanned aerial
vehicles. The first quarter of 2018 has already seen a rush of UAS activity.
Including in early 2018, Boeing announced plans to use a new unmanned cargo air
vehicle (CAV) prototype to test their autonomy technology in preparation for
future aerospace vehicles.
Boeing’s prototype is powered by an environmental-friendly
electric propulsion system with eight counter-rotating blades allowing for
vertical flight. The CAV prototype stands 4 feet tall, measures 15 by 18 feet,
and weighs over 700 pounds. It can transport up to 500 pounds for potential
future cargo and logistics applications.
Boeing’s test focused on transferring cargo with unmanned
aircraft systems and is a major step in their electric
vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) strategy. It could potentially change air
travel and transport as we know it today.
The new CAV prototype, built in partnership with the Boeing
HorizonX team and Boeing Research & Technology, builds on their existing unmanned aerial systems. Safely
integrating unmanned aircraft systems is vital to reaching the full potential
of autonomous cargo delivery and transport in the future.
The CAV prototype completed its initial flight successfully in
Missouri at the Boeing Research & Technology’s Collaborative Autonomous
Systems Laboratory. This test and location will serve to advance further
iterations of autonomous technology for future applications.
At Insitu, we specialize in unmanned aerial vehicles and
technology for defense and commercial industries. If you have questions about
using unmanned aerial systems for your industry, contact us today to learn more.
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