RapidFlight to develop and produce the SPX, a customizable, autonomous, fixed-wing plane system, with the assistance of a $10 million contract by the DAF AFWERX Autonomy Prime Program.
Modern AgileAviation™ Course of to Be Demonstrated for Nationwide Safety Purposes
RapidFlight, an built-in designer and producer of Unmanned Plane Programs (UAS), has been awarded a contract value as much as $10 million by the US Division of the Air Drive (DAF) underneath the AFWERX Autonomy Prime program. This contract focuses on the event and manufacturing of the SPX, a 3D-printed, autonomous, fixed-wing plane system.
AFWERX, an initiative by the DAF, goals to harness cutting-edge applied sciences from small companies and start-ups to deal with vital challenges. The Autonomy Prime department particularly collaborates with trade to advance autonomous applied sciences, accelerating their integration into Air Drive applications.
“Our collaboration with the AFWERX Autonomy Prime Program positions RapidFlight as a leading innovator for delivering mission customized, autonomous aircraft with up to 80% reduced design to manufacture time and platform costs as compared to existing solutions,” stated Michael Uffelman, Director of Development and Buyer Packages at RapidFlight. “This contract will enable the DAF to explore RapidFlight’s digital engineering process, and its modern development approach to produce customizable aircraft with novel technologies critical for national security.”
Lt Col Josh Fehd, AFWERX Autonomy Prime Department Chief, added, “Autonomy Prime is excited about this innovative approach to unmanned autonomous aviation. It represents a promising opportunity to continue our mission of creating a rapid, affordable, and iterative autonomy testing and transition capability for the DAF.”
Within the preliminary part of the 36-month contract, RapidFlight will design SPX UAVs for developmental take a look at and analysis on the Autonomy Prime Proving Floor. This facility is tailor-made for the swift and iterative testing and growth of autonomous UAS applied sciences. Subsequently, RapidFlight will conduct a contractor-owned, contractor-operated (COCO) demonstration of the SPX to the US Air Drive (USAF) at RapidFlight’s flight take a look at facility in Manassas, Va. Complete operations and upkeep coaching for SPX can even be offered to USAF operators all through the contract period.
The RapidFlight SPX Platform
The SPX is a Group 2 UAS, that includes a 12 lb. payload capability and 150 nm vary. It features a modular payload bay to accommodate numerous payload sorts, sensors, and autonomy packages. For analysis and growth, the RapidFlight Widespread Avionics 2.0 modular interface shall be employed, facilitating real-world flight take a look at information era extra effectively.
RapidFlight’s proprietary AgileAviation course of goals to considerably scale back the event lifecycle in the course of the first part of UAV growth. The method, which encompasses plane supply and flight crew coaching, is scheduled for completion in seven months. Every SPX system consists of 4 airframes, a floor management station, a area package, and a compact launcher.
For extra details about RapidFlight, go to: RapidFlight.
Learn extra:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory surroundings for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone area and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, E mail Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife right here.