Pyka, a leader in autonomous electric aircraft, has teamed up with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to introduce a state-of-the-art unmanned aerial system named RUMRUNNER, tailored for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). This partnership leverages SNC’s expertise in crafting bespoke solutions for intricate challenges and Pyka’s innovative electric cargo aircraft, Pelican Cargo.
RUMRUNNER, a modified version of the Pelican Cargo, is touted as the world’s largest 100% electric cargo UAS designed for sustainment operations in contested environments. It boasts an impressive super-short takeoff and landing (SSTOL) capability, can carry payloads up to 400 pounds, and achieves a range of up to 200 miles.
Michael Bertman, Vice President of Programs at SNC, highlighted the unique attributes of the Pelican Cargo. “We assessed a number of leading capabilities and concluded that the Pelican Cargo is significantly more capable than any other platform. It is the only all-electric, austere environment cargo aircraft with that kind of range, payload capacity, and cargo volume. While the clean energy aspect is important, creating a more diverse, distributed, and survivable supply chain is expected to be the primary driver in terms of interest from the DoD. The Zero-Fuel component minimizes the need to forward-stage bulk fuel, which significantly reduces the logistics tail normally associated with resupply operations. This presents opportunities to increase the survivability of our service members, reduce risks to the force, and transform the way military operations have historically been conducted.”
Michael Norcia, co-founder and CEO of Pyka, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration. “We are excited to partner with SNC to bring our autonomous electric cargo UAS platform to DoD customers,” he said. “SNC has extensive experience modifying products from the Silicon Valley technology ecosystem to fit DoD requirements, and they are committed to making cutting-edge technology like Pelican Cargo available to the United States government.”
The introduction of RUMRUNNER presents a shift in military logistics by offering a more efficient, safer, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional resupply operations, potentially enhancing the capabilities of the U.S. military in complex and contested operations.
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