1-Ton Cargo Delivery Drone to be Manufactured in UK

By Mike Ball / 15 Sep 2019
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Silent Arrow cargo drone

Yates Electrospace Corporation (YEC) has announced that it has unveiled the world’s first production-ready 1-ton autonomous cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) 2019 show in London. The new aircraft is designed for both tactical resupply and humanitarian / disaster relief applications.

The Silent Arrow GD-2000 drone can deliver up to 1,631 pounds (740 kg) of supplies at less than half the cost of the U.S. military’s Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS), which uses GPS combined with steerable parachutes. It also features more than double the glide ratio, improved landing accuracy, zero vertical impact force and greater stealth. The aircraft features spring-deployed wings that can be transported inside the fuselage, and is designed for deployment of critically needed supplies, cargo and fuel under austere operating conditions and timelines.

YC has also announced that The MEL Group holds exclusive UK manufacturing and distribution rights for the cargo drone, with sales and service available for all EU countries. Distribution agreements have so far been established in 34 territories including the European Union, the UK, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Israel, Brazil and India.

“We are pleased to welcome The MEL Group into the growing Silent Arrow production and distribution network as a key partner in our pioneering mission to bring immediate and life-saving air response to civilians and militaries operating in harm’s way,” commented Chip Yates, CEO of Yates Electrospace Corporation. “The GD-2000 being unveiled at the DSEI show is the flagship in a rapidly expanding product line including single-use, ruggedized and reusable, scaled-down, scaled-up, unpowered gliders and electrically powered cargo delivery aircraft.”

Specifications of the Silent Arrow GD-2000 include:

Gross Weight: 2,000lbs (907 kg)
Cargo Weight: 1,631lbs (740 kg)
Cargo Volume: 26cu/ft (.75 cu/m)
Glide Ratio: 8.4:1
Stall Speed @1,000lbs: 62kts, @2,000lbs: 92kts
Standoff Distance: 40 miles
Logistics: 28ft wingspan (4 spring-deployed wings) stowed in 2ft x 2ft x 8ft fuselage

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Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact