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Autonomous Folding-Wing VTOL UAV for Long Range & Superior Endurance United States of America
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PteroDynamics

Autonomous Folding-Wing VTOL UAV for Long Range & Superior Endurance

PteroDynamics is a leading innovator in the design of autonomous VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) fixed-wing drone systems.

Our highly efficient folding wing unmanned aerial (UAS) platform, based on our patented Transwing® technology, is ideal for mission-critical civilian and government applications. Transwing® aircraft overcome the inherent shortcomings of current VTOL systems by combining the speed, range, and endurance of a fixed-wing airplane with superior VTOL performance in a simple, efficient autonomous UAS platform.

Folding Wing UAV

The Transwing® platform automates time-sensitive delivery of high-value, mission-critical cargo to remote, hard to reach locations without runways that otherwise would require manned aircraft or alternative solutions at significant expense. Transwing aircraft are ideally suited for missions for which:

  • Payload is of high importance or mission critical.
  • Timeliness is essential.
  • Locations are remote, difficult to reach, and may not have runways.
  • Significant resources and costs are required.
  • Adverse conditions (weather, hostile or disputed environments) are present.

Transwing aircraft are ideal solutions for military and civil maritime logistics, autonomous cargo delivery to remote locations with no runways, linear inspection and ISR, and public safety.

PteroDynamics has delivered its VTOL fixed-wing drone aircraft to the US Navy in support of the Blue Water UAS maritime logistics program and has also partnered with Leidos on DARPA’s ANCILLARY project.

Heavy lift VTOL drone

Transwing® – a unique folding-wing UAV design

The Transwing technology uses an innovative folding wing design that enables the aircraft to transition seamlessly from vertical takeoff to forward flight, combining the maneuverability advantages of a multirotor with the increased efficiency and range of a fixed-wing platform.

VTOL UAV Military

The Transwing® provides a number of advantages:

Longer Range and Superior Endurance

  • Doesn’t carry extra weight and drag of redundant propulsors
  • Highly efficient during takeoff, landing, and cruise

Faster Cruise to Reach Remote Locations More Quickly:

  • Streamlined cruise configuration (feathered/folded propellers) and lack of additional drag/weight
  • Sprint and climb capabilities

Outstanding VTOL Stability and Gust Tolerance

  • Transwing aircrafts’ high thrust to weight ratio and inherent stability enable VTOL operations in adverse weather and environments with unpredictable crosswinds and vortices.

Autonomous Operations

  • Fully autonomous VTOL and transition to fixed-wing flight and cruise enable safe and cost-effectives operations in harsh environments.

Smaller Operational Footprint for Operations, Storage, and Transportation

  • The XP-4 requires less than 30 square feet to land.

Payload Capacity Efficiency

  • Not burdened with the additional weight and drag of extra lift propulsors like other solutions, enabling higher payload efficiency.

VTOL Fixed Wing Drone

We have developed three different platforms based on the Transwing® design:

  • X-P4: 4-meter wingspan UAV with an electric powertrain, designed for critical logistics missions
  • X-P5: Multi-mission 7-meter wingspan folding-wing drone with hybrid electric/combustion engine powertrain*
  • X-P7: Heavy-lift VTOL drone with 280 kg payload capacity and powered by turbogenerator**

Folding Wing drone

All aircraft are highly customizable and can be tailored to optimize speed, range, endurance and payload capacity to suit unique mission requirements.

Specifications Comparison:

X-P4 X-P5 X-P7
Applications Logistics Multi-mission Multi-mission
MTOW 38 kg 145 kg 1360 kg
Max Payload 7 kg 23 kg 280 kg
Payload Volume 0.03 m3 0.12 m3
Wingspan 4m 7m 10m
Speed 65 kt cruise
100 kt dash
65 kt cruise
100 kt dash
120 kt cruise
180+ kt dash
Range 60 nm (max payload) 1200 nm (max payload) 1000 nm (max payload)
Endurance 1 hr (max payload) 19 hrs (max payload) 9 hrs (max payload)
Practical Cruise Ceiling 15,000 ft FL180 FL180
Powertrain Electric Hybrid Turbogen
Available Payload Power 0.2 kW 1 kW 3 kW

Notes:
* X-P5 is currently in the design phase.
**X-P7 is a future design.

Products

X-P4 Fixed-Wing VTOL UAV

Electric folding-wing UAV for critical logistics missions

X-P5 Fixed-Wing VTOL UAV

Multi-mission 7-metre wingspan folding-wing drone with hybrid electric/combustion engine powertrain

X-P7

Heavy-lift VTOL drone with 280 kg payload capacity & turbogenerator power

Articles

Latest
U.S. Navy Awards PteroDynamics Contract for Advanced Autonomous Transwing VTOL UAS

PteroDynamics has secured a U.S. Navy contract to develop and demonstrate the P5 Transwing VTOL UAS, an advanced autonomous aircraft for long-range maritime cargo deliveries

Feb 24, 2025
Transforming Advanced Air Mobility with Transwing® VTOL Aircraft

PteroDynamics outlines how the company is reshaping advanced air mobility with its innovative Transwing® VTOL aircraft, offering unique capabilities for commercial and defense missions

Jan 08, 2025
Babcock & PteroDynamics to Explore New Capabilities for Autonomous UAS

PteroDynamics' Transwing UAS could open up a range of new defence and civil applications within the Australasian market

Dec 11, 2024
Exclusive Distribution Agreement Brings Transwing VTOL UAS to Japan

Pterodynamics and Cornes Technologies’ agreement will bring Japan the Transwing VTOL UAS, combining the speed, range, and endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with VTOL performance

Oct 22, 2024
The Future of Cost-Effective Maritime Resupply

Rich Brasel, CRO at PteroDynamics discusses the role of unmanned aerial systems in the future of maritime logistics and resupply

Sep 05, 2024
Transwing UAS Conducts First UK Flights

PteroDynamics and Overwatch Group have flown the Transwing UAS for the first time in the UK, demonstrating the ability to launch and land on small footprints regardless of the angle

Jul 29, 2024
PteroDynamics Reflects on Shifting Trends in the UAS Industry

Matthew Graczyk, CEO of PteroDynamics, offers a compelling analysis of the evolving unmanned sector based on his observations at AUVSI’s XPONENTIAL’24

Jul 16, 2024
Dual-Use Autonomous Transwing® UAS Expands to UK, KSA & UAE

An exclusive distribution agreement has been signed by PteroDynamics and Overwatch Group to bring the Transwing® VTOL UAS to the UK, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates

Jul 02, 2024
PteroDynamics Appoints New Program Manager

Experienced program manager, systems and test engineer Jason Maddocks will supervise execution of the company's growing suite of programs, oversee the lifecycle of company programs, and manage activities to meet program and business goals

Jun 19, 2024
PteroDynamics Appoints Former Ring CTO as Board Director 

Joshua Roth brings deep operational experience in scaling global technology operations and building platform solutions

Jun 13, 2024
Successful Demonstration of Transwing VTOL UAS Capabilities on Ships at Sea

PteroDynamics’ Transwing aircraft has completed nine autonomous launch and recovery demonstrations from USNS Burlington as part of the U.S. Navy 4th Fleet Hybrid Fleet Campaign Event

Nov 03, 2023
Autonomous Hybrid VTOL UAV with Innovative Folding-Wing Design

PteroDynamics' unique Transwing technology provides a number of advantages including enhanced range, endurance, speed and maneuverability

Sep 20, 2023
PteroDynamics to Unveil Transwing Design at Paris Air Show

The Transwing incorporates advanced aerodynamics, state-of-the-art materials, ground-breaking propulsion systems, and promises unparalleled speed, range, and operational efficiency

Jun 05, 2023

Videos

Regional Offices & Locations
Colorado Office United States of America 4240 N Nevada Ave, Suite 100, Colorado Springs, CO, 80907 +1 719 257 3103 Contact Website
California Office United States of America Los Angeles, California, USA +1 719 257 3103 Website
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.