Natilus begins autonomous cargo drone test

Natilus, an innovative company developing a fleet of highly cost-effective autonomous cargo aircraft, has successfully completed multiple flights of its Kona regional aircraft subscale prototype.

The flight tests represent a key milestone for Natilus and the autonomous cargo aircraft industry by confirming wind tunnel experiments conducted over a three-year period, examining the aerodynamic performance of Natilus' unique blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft design.

One of the most difficult aspects of the BWB design has been stability, and the test flights confirmed that the Natilus configuration can fly without the assistance of a complicated autopilot system.

“We are fully focused on completing the full-scale Kona prototype. Our Kona remotely piloted aircraft will be capable of carrying over 9,000 pounds (4.3 metric tons) of freight and will open new markets worldwide," stated Aleksey Matyushev, Co-Founder and CEO, Natilus.

Natilus has also recently completed the full-scale prototypes of both vertical tails, validating the aggressive timetables to 1st flight. The company will receive Hartzell propellers in May, gearing up for the manufacture of the engine test stand.

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