Alpha Unmanned Systems & Parallel Flight Partner to Develop Heavy-Fuel UAVs for U.S. Navy

Parallel Flight Technologies and Alpha Unmanned Systems have launched a joint initiative to advance heavy-fuel propulsion technologies for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in support of the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR).

The collaboration focuses on adapting Parallel Flight’s Firefly UAS, a Group 3 unmanned aircraft, to operate on heavy fuel. This transition is designed to enable long-endurance, heavy-lift operations within naval and expeditionary environments, ensuring the technology aligns with existing military logistics and fuel infrastructures. The project leverages Parallel Flight’s proprietary Parallel Hybrid Electric Multirotor (PHEM) architecture, which allows the aircraft to carry payloads up to 100 lb (45 kg) with significantly greater endurance than all-electric platforms.

Alpha Unmanned Systems, a Madrid-based manufacturer specializing in fuel-powered tactical helicopters, provides more than a decade of expertise in heavy-fuel propulsion to the project. Their engineering team is working closely with Parallel Flight to refine and validate the hybrid systems for the specific demands of maritime missions. Alpha has previously supplied unmanned solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, the Hellenic Navy, and the Indonesian Coast Guard.

Craig Stevens, CEO of Parallel Flight Technologies, commented, “We are very pleased to work with Alpha Unmanned Systems,” said Craig Stevens, CEO of Parallel Flight Technologies. “Alpha’s real-world experience with heavy-fuel propulsion has been directly applicable to our development objectives, helping us refine and validate our hybrid architecture to meet the unique demands of naval and expeditionary missions.”

The Firefly platform is a two-person-portable quadcopter produced in the USA and is protected by five patents. In addition to its heavy-lift capabilities, it provides 2 kW of continuous in-flight power to payloads, making it a versatile tool for industrial, wildfire, and medical logistics in addition to its defense applications. The platform’s development has received support from various agencies, including NASA, the USDA, and the National Science Foundation.

Álvaro Escarpenter, CTO of Alpha Unmanned Systems, added, “The use of heavy-fuel engines is essential for unmanned aircraft deployed in challenging defense and maritime operating environments. We are proud to support Parallel Flight’s efforts and contribute our expertise in heavy-fuel UAV propulsion to this important program.”

By integrating Alpha’s specialized knowledge of fuel-powered UAV subsystems, the partnership intends to reduce logistical burdens and improve the safety and operational flexibility of unmanned systems operating in austere environments.