Canadian company Volatus Aerospace will receive the first example of a large remote-controlled cargo drone developed by Californian startup Natilus. Volatus, through its subsidiary Volatus Aviation, intends to offer the Natilus N3.8T drone to airlines for the regional transport of air freight from 2025. Volatus Aviation specializes in aircraft management and cargo services with piloted, remotely operated and autonomous aircraft.
The N3.8T has a blended wing body made of carbon fiber, which means that the wings merge seamlessly into the fuselage. So far there are no cargo planes of this type. Natilus is working with Siemens to develop the special design.
According to the announcement, the two-engine turboprop aircraft should have a range of almost 1700 km and be able to carry a maximum of 3.8 tons of cargo. Due to its design, the drone offers 60 percent more cargo volume than conventional aircraft of the same weight. In addition, an N3.8T emits less carbon dioxide.
Competition to the Boeing 777
Natilus, whose employees gather the experience of 25 aircraft developments in their previous companies, plans to develop more cargo drones. This includes a remote-controlled drone that can carry 60 tons of cargo and is said to be similar in size to a Boeing 737. As a “flagship”, Natilus is planning a machine that could compete with the Boeing 777 wide-bodied aircraft and whose wingspan of almost 61 m should exceed it by 10 percent. Natilus is said to already have 400 pre-orders worth $6 billion.
Before working with Siemens, the Natilus technicians had worked with an ordinary CAD program, explains Siemens. However, the possibilities that are important for the development of large aircraft were missing, especially in the desired design of the blended wing body. In addition to Siemens’ expertise in the development of large aircraft, the German company also offers reduced prices for startups.
(app)