AIR & Elmo Motion Control Partner to Boost Heavy-Lift Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Performance

A new strategic partnership between AIR and Elmo Motion Control will integrate high-performance motion control solutions directly into AIR’s Heavy-Lift VTOL-capable uncrewed cargo platform.

Under the agreement, Elmo’s Gold HV motor drive will power the eight electric propulsion motors on AIR’s autonomous platform, which is designed to carry payloads of up to 550 pounds. The high-efficiency drive system allows for air-cooled operation, eliminating the need for heavier, complex liquid cooling hardware. Removing these components reduces overall aircraft weight and system complexity, directly increasing the platform’s available payload capacity and operational performance.

Categorized as a Group 4 UAS by the U.S. Department of Defense, the unmanned cargo aircraft features a 1-hour flight endurance and a dual-use architecture aimed at commercial, defense, and humanitarian missions. The aircraft is intended to support flexible logistics, mid-mile delivery, maritime resupply, and rapid aid deployments.

Rani Plaut, AIR CEO, said, “Our uncrewed cargo platform is a mission-ready system, and this new partnership enhances our aircraft’s ability to deliver performance and value while meeting operational demands. Working with Elmo will ensure that the future of autonomous flight and unmanned logistics are as safe as possible, while maintaining capabilities and meeting requirements across defense, commercial, and humanitarian needs.”

Rami Chanan, VP Sales & Marketing at Elmo Motion Control, added, “At Elmo, we’re passionate about helping our customers turn bold ideas into reality, and our collaboration with AIR is a perfect example of what’s possible when innovation meets engineering excellence. Our Gold and Platinum HV servo drives deliver exceptional power density through a master-slave configuration, supplying 210A at 805V to each motor while maintaining a compact, air-cooled design that eliminates the need for heavier liquid-cooling systems. This unique combination of high power, low weight, and compact size has enabled AIR to achieve one of the industry’s highest payload-to-size ratios. Seeing our technology help redefine what’s possible in aviation is something we’re incredibly proud of, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries of performance together.”

To date, over 25 units of AIR’s Cargo-Heavy Lift UAS have been ordered and paid for. The collaboration with Elmo, a global leader in motion control technology, follows other recent aviation partnerships announced by AIR, including an integration agreement with Dynon Avionics.