1-Ton Cargo Delivery Drone to be Tested for USSOCOM

By Naomi Charlton / 15 Nov 2019

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Silent Arrow cargo delivery drone

Yates Electrospace Corporation (YEC) has announced that it has signed a development contract with the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to establish the airworthiness and performance of the company’s 1-ton Silent Arrow autonomous cargo UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). USSOCOM has expressed interest in the platform for missions such as resupplying tactical teams within a hostile environment, resupplying forward operating bases, and delivering critical humanitarian aid and disaster relief without the need to land or place USSOCOM aircrew in harm’s way.

Development is being led primarily by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), with additional operational requirements coming from the U.S. Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) for Silent Arrow applications for rotorcraft and other specialized tactical support. USSOCOM will provide YEC with access to aircraft, test ranges and subject matter experts. YEC is also conducting additional flight testing in civilian airspace (Pendleton UAS Test Range, Oregon) from rotorcraft sling-load and fixed-wing aircraft with deployment altitudes from 1,000 feet AGL up to 5,000 feet AGL.

Silent Arrow delivers up to 1,631 pounds (740 kg) of supplies at less than half the cost of the U.S. military’s currently-utilised JPADS (Joint Precision Airdrop System). It also features more than double the glide ratio, improved landing accuracy, zero vertical impact force and greater stealth capabilities. The aircraft features tightly integrated packaging with spring-deployed wings transported inside the fuselage.

Specifications of the USSOCOM Silent Arrow UAS platform 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: 40 miles
Logistics: 28ft wingspan (4 spring-deployed wings) stowed in 2ft x 2ft x 8ft fuselage

Yates Electrospace Corporation CEO, Chip Yates, commented: “This latest contract further validates the U.S. Government’s desire to close capability gaps with innovative commercial solutions from fast-acting companies. We are currently working with our AFSOC partners to conduct several airdrops of the Silent Arrow GD-2000 from various aircraft at medium altitudes in the February-March 2020 timeframe, and at high altitudes (25,000 feet MSL) in April-May 2020.”

Find fixed wing UAV manufacturers >>

Posted by Naomi Charlton Account manager extraordinaire, Naomi is the first point of contact here at Unmanned Systems Technology. At the forefront of events promotion Naomi takes the lead in managing our social media streams and in prioritising our latest news releases. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

UK MOD Validates PDW C100 for Aerial Target Designation

Performance Drone Works (PDW) demonstrated the capabilities of its C100 quadcopter for the UK MOD, successfully designating targets with precision and completing extended-range missions during a live-fire event in Texas

Jul 09, 2025
SatLab Showcases Geospatial Technologies at CSPI-EXPO 2025

SatLab attended CSPI-EXPO 2025 in Chiba, Japan from 18-21 June, showcasing its latest innovations across the full spectrum of geospatial solutions

Jul 09, 2025
DeltaQuad Collaboration to Boost VTOL Surveillance Drone Production

DeltaQuad has partnered with VDL Groep to expand production of its Evo surveillance drone, enhancing manufacturing capabilities to meet rising defence sector demand

Jul 09, 2025
FarSounder Argos Powers Autonomous Navigation on Unmanned Surface Vessel

FarSounder’s Argos sonar technology has been integrated into DARPA’s NOMARS vessel, advancing autonomous navigation and situational awareness in unmanned maritime operations

Jul 09, 2025
Impact of Jamming & Spoofing on GNSS Positioning

Tersus GNSS explains how jamming and spoofing interfere with GNSS signals, outlines their distinct impacts, and presents technical strategies for detection and mitigation

Jul 09, 2025
ESA Feasibility Study to Advance Autonomous Drone Landing Without GPS

Agilica completes an ESA-backed study advancing precision drone landing tech that works without GPS, targeting urban, maritime, and complex autonomous UAV operations

Jul 09, 2025

Featured Content

New UAV to Combine Solar Hydrogen & Battery Power for Extended Flight

XSun and H3 Dynamics are developing the first UAV powered by solar, hydrogen, and batteries, aiming to deliver zero-emission, long-endurance unmanned flight

Jul 07, 2025
Enhancing Mangrove Restoration Through 3D Printed Drone Design

Explore how Inverto Earth, in collaboration with HP Additive, is using sustainable 3D printing and drone technology to drive large-scale mangrove restoration and protect vulnerable coastal ecosystems

Jul 03, 2025
Partnership Combines Drone Swarms & Situational Awareness to Boost Wildfire Response

Kongsberg Geospatial and FireSwarm Solutions have partnered to integrate autonomous drone swarms with real-time situational awareness for faster, smarter wildfire response

Jun 30, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.