Ameriflight to purchase 35 Rhaegal-A drones

Dallas-based Ameriflight has signed a letter of intent for thirty-five Rhaegal-A drones from Sabrewing. The vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)-capable drones are the second unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for which the carrier has announced a deal in 2023. The first deliveries are expected in the latter part of 2024, Ameriflight told Cargo Facts , adding that it is impressed with the progress Sabrewing has made and continues to make in its aircraft design and technology. [caption id="attachment_56860440" align="alignright" width="450"] The Rhaegal-A made its first flight in 2023. (Photo/Sabrewing)[/caption] New capabilities, new markets Ameriflight told Cargo Facts that the Rhaegal-A aircraft will enable it to enter into new business opportunities in distribution center logistics by using the VTOL capabilities to carry cargo to off-airport, alternative landing zones, aiding customers in developing faster and more efficient distribution networks. Sabrewing's Chief Executive Ed De Reyes told Cargo Facts that the Rhaegal-A is a good fit for consolidators at off-airport destinations. "The way Ameriflight intends to use the aircraft, it’s perfect for that role," De Reyes said. The Rhaegal-A broke a world record for the payload carried by a drone on its first flight when it carried a test payload of 374 kg . The drone is capable of carrying a maximum payload of 1.4 tonnes at speeds of 200 knots at a range of 1,000 nautical miles. When at conventional airports, the Rhaegal-A is capable of conventional short take-off and landings in as little as 100ft, according to Sabrewing. With the new drone and its newfound capabilities come new flight possibilities. Ameriflight said that it plans to deploy the Rhaegal-A on all-new routes to better help customers in warehouse logistics. The airline is the second known commitment for the Rhaegal-A after Saudi Arabia-based ADMC placed an order for fifty-three shortly after the first flight in September 2022. Sabrewing told Cargo Facts that it currently had $5.6 billion in orders for 284 units of the Rhaegal-B and 148 orders for the Rhaegal-A. The Rhaegal-A’s ability to be powered by sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) was also of interest to Ameriflight, which hopes to to use the drone to cut its carbon footprint, according to the airline. Drones and manned aircraft side by side The latest deal comes weeks after Ameriflight made national headlines with an order for twenty of Natilus’ long-range Kona unmanned cargo aircraft. That order was notable in part due to Ameriflight’s current, conventional regional freighter fleet, which consists of Beechcraft 99s, Beechcraft 1900s, Metroliners and Embraer 120s. The Natilus Kona’s performance is akin to the Saab 340B, of which Ameriflight has at least two with a further thirteen on order . The Rhaegal-A’s performance is similar to aircraft currently in the Ameriflight fleet but with lower operating costs, according to Sabrewing. "It’s much less expensive to operate than Beechcraft 99s and 1900s, Embraers or Metroliners," De Reyes said. The Rhaegal-A won’t replace any manned aircraft but will be additions to complement Ameriflight’s current fleet as it works to diversify its services, according to the airline. With the order of Sabrewing and Natilus drones, Ameriflight told Cargo Facts that it intends to preserve its niche position and that the new cargo aircraft will help to modernize its fleet so the carrier can offer a differentiated product in a part of the industry seeing exponential growth. Ameriflight added that the new drone types will expand its customer base and that it is currently seeking new business avenues that are not currently serviced by airport-based aircraft. Hungry for more After its orders for Sabrewing’s Rhaegal-A and Natilus’ Kona, Ameriflight continues to look at cargo drones for growth opportunities. The carrier told Cargo Facts that besides Sabrewing and Natilus, it has an agreement with Matternet for its drone and Merlin Labs for its semiautonomous technology. Ameriflight told Cargo Facts that it is also considering Sabrewing’s Rhaegal-B, the larger variant of the Rhaegal-A that is currently under development, adding that it is open to converting some of its orders but awaiting further development of that type. Sabrewing, for its part, plans to conduct the first flight of the Rhaegal-B in Q3 2023 and is currently testing an upgraded hovering-control platform for its drones and will alter its prototypes to achieve conformity with production aircraft, the company told Cargo Facts.

Ameriflight to purchase 35 Rhaegal-A drones

The airline continues to invest in drone technology

Forwarders call on TSA to work with air cargo industry on rule change

How to power a plane with leftover Chinese hot pot

Related Posts

Podcast: Merlin New Zealand sheds light on pathway to approval

AutoFlight, A2Z take lead roles in Alatau City AAM ecosystem

Merlin positions Merlin Pilot for 2027 approval in New Zealand

How to power a plane with leftover Chinese hot pot

Cargo Facts Free Newsletters

Cargo Facts Connect Podcast

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password