Pyka delivers first of three large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft to AFWERX
Flight operations personnel from Pyka and AFWERX gathered on the tarmac at New Braunfels National Airport to witness the arrival of Pyka’s Pelican Cargo, a large-scale autonomous electric cargo aircraft with a 400 pound payload capacity and 200 mile range, built for remote off-airport operations.
This is the first delivery in a fleet of three Pyka Pelican Cargo on lease to AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Department of Air Force (DAF) and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, for the United States Air Force’s Agility Prime program. The program will explore operational use cases for Pyka’s technology to address the most pressing challenges in the DAF.
“The AFWERX Agility Prime program looks forward to learning about the deployment and operational capabilities of electric aircraft through this contract,” said Lt Col John Tekell, Agility Prime Branch Chief.
The California-based startup, founded in 2017 in the backyard of a Silicon Valley home, is now well on its way to create and provide innovative solutions that could strengthen the national defense of the United States of America. As the largest autonomous electric cargo aircraft in its class, Pelican Cargo is able to takeoff and land in remote areas with minimal ground infrastructure, can be recharged in under 90 minutes, and requires few personnel to operate.
“We’re proud to deliver Pelican Cargo to AFWERX for the United States Air Force’s Agility Prime program,” says Michael Norcia, Chief Executive Officer at Pyka. “Our aircraft offers an unparalleled platform for heavy-payload and long-range autonomous electric cargo logistics. We believe the DAF is an ideal customer to harness the benefits of this technology, and is helping to advance zero-emission aviation in the United States by partnering with companies like ours.”