Natilus partners with Janicki on drone prototype

San Diego-based Natilus announced today that it has selected Janicki Industries to design, fabricate and provide quality assurance on the primary composite structure for the prototype of Nautilus' 3.8-tonne autonomous cargo aircraft. The partnership with Sedro-Woolley, Wash.-based Janicki will initially cover the prototype aircraft but the two companies are exploring continuing the relationship into the production of the aircraft, Natilus told Cargo Facts . [caption id="attachment_56860761" align="alignright" width="460"] The partnership will initially cover the prototype aircraft. (Photo/Cargo Facts)[/caption] For its part, Janicki has previously produced prototypes and models for projects varying from the BMW Oracle racing yacht to the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter. Natilus said that Janicki’s experience and ability to produce carbon fiber prototyping will help it achieve first flight and certification faster. The 3.8-tonne 3.8T drone is a blended-wing-body, unmanned aircraft designed for short-haul feeder routes. As of February, the company had signed more than $6B in commitments for its autonomous freighters from customers such as Aurora International, Volatus and Flexport, to name a few. The first 3.8T aircraft, which will be equipped with the Pratt & Whitney PT6A-67 engine , is expected to take flight in 2024, with first deliveries to Volatus expected in 2025 . Natilus, which Natilus is also designing larger 60-tonne and 100-tonne variants , had originally planned to fuel the 3.8-tonne aircraft with conventional Jet-A and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) but is now also looking into hydrogen in the long term, the company told Cargo Facts . Earlier this year, Cargo Facts toured Nautilus’ production facility at Brown Field (SDM) in San Diego , where the drone manufacturer began operations in May.

Natilus partners with Janicki on drone prototype

3.8-tonne autonomous cargo aircraft expected to take off in 2024

Startup to launch drone delivery in Israel

Slow pax market increases widebody feedstock supply

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

Slow pax market increases widebody feedstock supply

Cargo Facts Free Newsletters

Cargo Facts Connect Podcast

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Retrieve your password