Though it's not not on display here at the Singapore Airshow 2018, Boeing (Stand U09, U23) is touting a new unmanned electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) cargo air vehicle (CAV) prototype, designed to carry payloads up to 500 pounds (227 kg). It will be used to develop autonomy technology for future aerospace vehicles. Led by Boeing HorizonX, the prototype CAV was unveiled last month. It was designed and built in less than three months and completed initial flight tests at the Boeing Research & Technology’s Collaborative Autonomous Systems Laboratory.
“Our new CAV prototype builds on Boeing’s existing unmanned systems capabilities and presents new possibilities for autonomous cargo delivery, logistics and other transportation applications,” said Steve Nordlund, Boeing HorizonX vice president. “The safe integration of unmanned aerial vehicles is vital to unlocking their full potential.”
The CAV complements the eVTOL passenger air vehicle prototype aircraft in development by Aurora Flight Sciences, which Boeing acquired late last year.