Natilus signs $6B in commitments for autonomous freighter

California-based Natilus, which is developing remotely piloted cargo aircraft for launch in 2025, has received more than $6 billion in advance purchase agreements for more than 440 units. Freight forwarders and airlines that have signed letters of intent (LOI) for the aircraft include U.S.-based freight forwarder Flexport, which signed an LOI for two of Natilus’ 100-tonne aircraft with an option to purchase a third, Natilus said in an announcement. [caption id="attachment_417504" align="alignright" width="560"] Natilus says its aircraft can operate using existing infrastructure. (Photo/Natilus)[/caption] Kenya-based cargo airline Astral Aviation has also signed an LOI. The airline purchased two Lucas-F250 drones from Falcon Drones Technology in 2018. South Africa-based airline Aurora International, Canada-based Dymond Group and Volatus Aerospace, a drone services and manufacturing company, have also signed LOIs. The companies could not be reached for comment ahead of publication. Volatus Aerospace announced last month that it had secured the first production delivery slot for Natilus’ 3.8T aircraft. “This has been a process that we’ve been working through with customers for years,” Aleksey Matyushev, Natilus CEO and co-founder, told Cargo Facts ’ sister publication Air Cargo World . “Finally culminating in these purchase orders, which kind of gives the final stamp of approval of the direction of the design. The really great part about all this is that with an airplane company the most important thing you want to do is find a product-market fit really quickly.” Natilus is developing four models. The 3.8-tonne twin-engine turboprop would act as a feeder aircraft and transport cargo to smaller markets, and is the first of the Natilus aircraft expected in 2025. Still in the early design phase is a 60-tonne remotely piloted freighter designed for the domestic U.S., European and Asian markets, a 100-tonne long-haul freighter designed for the trans-Pacific market and a 130-tonne long-haul freighter. The aircraft do not require new airport infrastructure to operate, as they can use existing infrastructure, ground support equipment, standard loaders and pallets, according to Natilus. They can also operate on both traditional jet fuel and sustainable aviation fuel. Cargo Facts EMEA will take place LIVE May 9-11 in Dubai. Learn more and register.

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