The agreement for Rhaegal-A aircraft will allow Ameriflight to enhance business at distribution centres by carrying over a tonne of cargo to off-airport landing zones, creating a faster and more efficient warehouse network.
For Ameriflight, it will be a complementary service and will not replace its current operations, aircraft or pilots but will diversify its services.
Alan Rusinowitz, President and COO of Ameriflight, says, “With a payload capability of 2,000+ pounds, the Rhaegal-A is perfectly suited for the medium lift category operation. Sabrewing’s record-setting technology guiding Rhaegal-A as the world’s first autonomous cargo aircraft capable of both vertical and conventional take-off is an incredible milestone, and we are excited to partner with them on this new fleet.”
Ed De Reyes, CEO of Sabrewing, adds, “We’re committed to developing advanced, versatile, and efficient air cargo solutions with our best-in-class Rhaegal aircraft that maximise on long range, payload capacity, and sustainable fuel efficiency to successfully deliver on a range of cargo missions. We’re excited to be at the forefront of autonomous innovation and to have Ameriflight at our side, with this new agreement marking the Alpha’s first American launch customer.”
The Rhaegal-A first achieved its first hover flight in September 2022 carrying 829 pounds of cargo.
Sabrewing is preparing the production line with the first deliveries due in the first quarter of 2024.
It can fly using sustainable aviation fuel, cutting emissions by up to 80%, flying between cargo facilities 4 times faster than travelling by road and landing in locations unavailable to other aircraft, eliminating the cost of transferring cargo from an airport.