Revolution Aerospace (RevAero) has announced the expansion of its Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based cargo delivery capability, with the recent procurement of the Anavia HT-100; lifting payloads over 55 kg and with over 4 hours of endurance. The high-tech aircraft is manufactured in Switzerland, and due to be delivered in the second half of the year.
The platform significantly enhances RevAero’s intent to transport meaningful payloads out to regional and remote communities and is a critical enabler for an 18-month program being undertaken with the support of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication, and the Arts (DITRDCA) under the Emerging Aviation Technologies Program (EATP). The project is titled ‘Regional Aerial Logistics and Air Taxi Operations with Unified Traffic Management’, where RevAero will demonstrate how the distribution of people and product can be achieved, at scale
The capstone activity for the project is a wide-scale demonstration in the Whitsunday region in early 2024. This demonstration will showcase end-to-end delivery of cargo, incorporating a variety of drone types, delivery distances and scenarios, in complex uncontrolled airspace environments. Several complex Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) trials are being undertaken in the lead up to demonstration, advancing RevAero’s test methodologies and building a layered safety case toward the eventual Demonstration.
Dr Terry Martin, RevAero Co-Founder and CEO commented on the HT-100:
“The suite of research and flight testing we’re undertaking will undoubtedly benefit regional and remote pockets of Australia. However, I can’t emphasize enough how critical it is to choose the right technology for the task if we are to make our aspirations for wide-scale cargo delivery to regional communities a reality. And that’s why my team has put extensive effort into selecting appropriate aircraft and support equipment to get the job done, safely.
Our decision to select the ANAVIA HT-100 was driven by our confidence in both the technology ANAVIA has produced, but also the level of support they are providing to ensure we meet our operational requirements. The degree of design and systems engineering rigour, supported by quality manufacture and production processes means the platform is what we endearingly call “aviation grade”.
This will be an increasingly important attribute, as we look to conduct more advanced operations under the JARUS SORA. RevAero maintains open and regular communication with our regulator, … who I have to say, have been exceptional in helping our staff navigate the regulatory approval process in areas never conducted before.”
RevAero maintains a genuine commitment to strengthen the Australian Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) ecosystem. Their efforts working with manufacturers, regulatory and governmental bodies, and importantly, stakeholders in regional communities will be shared through the provision of periodic updates in the lead up to the Demonstration; to assist other organisations and ultimately help accelerate the growth of the Australian UAS ecosystem.
Source: Press Release