In a significant advancement for logistics and aerial delivery, California-based company MightyFly has successfully tested its unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed for the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX innovation program. The event, held at New Jerusalem Airport in California, highlighted the capabilities of MightyFly’s Cento hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, alongside its Autonomous Load Mastering System (ALMS). These technologies are tailored for complex logistics operations, marking a pivotal step forward in drone-assisted transportation.
The live demonstration showcased simulations that encompassed various essential logistics functions including freight loading and unloading, package handling while in transit, and balance management, all in accordance with the U.S. military’s stringent operational standards. The trial also incorporated the autonomous handling and transport of representative packages, engaging participants from diverse sectors such as defense, healthcare, retail, logistics, manufacturing, and disaster relief.
Notably, the test concluded with the Cento, equipped with the ALMS, achieving crucial payload management tasks autonomously. This included utilizing a specialized nose cone compartment for cargo handling, executing cargo ejection, and completing landing processes without any human intervention, showcasing the full potential of autonomous logistics.
MightyFly emphasizes that these developments align with the broader goals set forth during the Trump administration, which sought to bolster the use of domestic drone technology for applications including medical response, cargo transport, and enhancing access to rural areas. The company sees this as a timely opportunity to establish itself as a national asset in next-generation logistics, offering services that promise high efficiency, minimal infrastructure needs, and low operational costs for both commercial and defense use.
The Cento aircraft itself boasts impressive specifications: measuring 13 feet (4 meters) in length with a 17 feet (5 meters) wingspan, it has an empty weight of 180 kilograms (397 pounds). The latest iteration features a spacious cargo bay, measuring 72 ×18.5×9.5 inches (183×47×24 centimeters), with a capacity for over 200 small parcels or approximately 100 pounds (45 kilograms) of payload. Its design includes nine electric motors, eight VTOL fans, a push propeller, an internal combustion engine, and a battery system.
During operations, the Cento can reach speeds of up to 150 miles per hour (241 kilometers) and altitude levels of 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), with a range extending up to 600 miles (966 kilometers). These capabilities position MightyFly’s technology as a potential game-changer in the evolving landscape of logistics and aerial delivery.
