The<\/strong> Natilus drone prototype is towed out to San Pedro Bay for taxi trials.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n N<\/span>atilus,<\/strong> the cargo drone startup, has completed the latest phase of taxi tests on water for a 30-foot-long prototype of its planned, large-scale unmanned cargo aircraft. Aleksey Matyushev, CEO of Natilus, told\u00a0Air Cargo World<\/em>\u00a0the prototype has been undergoing taxi testing since February.<\/p>\n \u201cThe prototype has successfully completed medium-speed taxi testing in remote operation under its own power,\u201d Matyushev said yesterday. Taxi testing is being conducted in California\u2019s San Pablo Bay, about 15 miles northeast of downtown San Francisco.<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n \u201cIn the last four months the team has solidified the hydrodynamics and ground control station operations, but it\u2019s not been without learning lessons,\u201d Matyushev explained to\u00a0Air Cargo World<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe small team has been quick and agile in responding to any vehicle modifications needed, large or small.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that a larger aviation company might require three to four months to build a new horizontal tail, but Natilus completed the task in just one month.<\/p>\n In the coming weeks, the Natilus team is preparing to move towards high-speed taxi tests, followed shortly afterwards by first flight, Matyushev added.<\/p>\n The current, small-scale prototype vehicle, which is \u201cjust a technology demonstrator,\u201d will be capable of transporting 700 pounds of cargo a distance of 2,500 nautical miles, he said. A larger-scale, 2-ton freighter being planned by Natilus will feature bulk-loading operation and will compete with existing feeder aircraft that are used today with large integrators.<\/p>\n \u201cAs we look towards the future, it\u2019s been important to engage our customers early to understand their needs. We believe that the key to winning markets dominated by Boeing and Airbus aircraft is to design a vehicle meant only for air freight. That simple freighter centric approach is why our design and performance figures are so exciting to customers.\u201d<\/p>\n Natilus also revealed several updated renderings of their larger 130-ton freighter showing landing gear, the use of existing infrastructure and even folding wing-tips (see below).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Natilus drone prototype is towed out to San Pedro Bay for taxi trials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Natilus, the cargo drone startup, has completed the latest phase of taxi tests on water for a 30-foot-long prototype of its planned, large-scale unmanned cargo aircraft. Aleksey Matyushev, CEO of Natilus, told\u00a0Air Cargo World<\/em>\u00a0the prototype has been undergoing taxi testing since February.<\/p>\n \u201cThe prototype has successfully completed medium-speed taxi testing in remote operation under its own power,\u201d Matyushev said yesterday. Taxi testing is being conducted in California\u2019s San Pablo Bay, about 15 miles northeast of downtown San Francisco.<\/p>\n The Natilus prototype being hoisted into position for taxi tests.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cIn the last four months the team has solidified the hydrodynamics and ground control station operations, but it\u2019s not been without learning lessons,\u201d Matyushev explained to\u00a0Air Cargo World<\/em>. \u201cThe small team has been quick and agile in responding to any vehicle modifications needed, large or small.\u201d He added that a larger aviation company might require three to four months to build a new horizontal tail, but Natilus completed the task in just one month.<\/p>\n In the coming weeks, the Natilus team is preparing to move towards high-speed taxi tests, followed shortly afterwards by first flight, Matyushev added.<\/p>\n The current, small-scale prototype vehicle, which is \u201cjust a technology demonstrator,\u201d will be capable of transporting 700 pounds of cargo a distance of 2,500 nautical miles, he said. A larger-scale, 2-ton freighter being planned by Natilus will feature bulk-loading operation and will compete with existing feeder aircraft that are used today with large integrators.<\/p>\n Natilus also revealed several updated renderings of their larger 130-ton freighter showing landing gear, the use of existing infrastructure and even folding wing-tips (see below).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n ..<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aircargoworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/0531_Natilus_Vert_IMG_4587-e1527789841573-225x300.jpg\")
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Matyushev also commented that Natilus has \u201cnot lost sight of the company\u2019s goal\u201d of creating larger 60- and 130-ton capacity freighters. \u201cThe designs for the larger freighters has been evolving steadily and we continue discussions with potential customers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/aircargoworld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/0531_Natilus_2A_EDIT-180518-1024x554.jpg\")
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<\/p>\n<\/p>\nMatyushev also commented that Natilus has \u201cnot lost sight of the company\u2019s goal\u201d of creating larger 60- and 130-ton capacity freighters. \u201cThe designs for the larger freighters has been evolving steadily and we continue discussions with potential customers,\u201d he said. \u201cAs we look towards the future, it\u2019s been important to engage our customers early to understand their needs. We believe that the key to winning markets dominated by Boeing and Airbus aircraft is to design a vehicle meant only for air freight. That simple freighter centric approach is why our design and performance figures are so exciting to customers.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n