U.S. Marines to Get Autonomous Cargo Drone Demo This Summer

Flight testing of Elroy’s Chaparral, a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (hVTOL) design, is scheduled to begin in July.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 02:11 PM ET

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Elroy Air’s hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (hVTOL) Chaparral C1 takes off on its maiden voyage in November. [Courtesy: Elroy Air]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Marine Corps will conduct flight testing in July for an autonomous, hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (hVTOL) aircraft designed for military resupply missions.
Developed by defense contractor Leidos and Elroy Air, the Chaparral aircraft is a candidate for the military's Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle-Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) program.
The Chaparral system features a 300 sm range, 125 knots cruise speed, and can carry up to 300 pounds in modular cargo pods.

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In just a few months, the U.S. Marine Corps will get its hands on an autonomous aircraft designed for military resupply missions.

Defense contractor Leidos and autonomous aircraft developer Elroy Air on Tuesday said they have been approved to demonstrate an autonomous aircraft prototype for the U.S. Navy and Marine Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program office. Flight testing is scheduled for July at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds (KLGF) in Arizona.