UAV & Drones
Abu Dhabi’s LODD Autonomous Launches UAE’s First Hybrid Heavy-Cargo UAV
LODD Autonomous completes maiden flight of Hili, UAE’s first hybrid heavy-cargo UAV, enhancing autonomous logistics with global partnerships and innovation.
Hili Takes Flight: Abu Dhabi Spearheads a New Era in Autonomous Cargo Logistics
In a landmark moment for the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous has successfully completed the inaugural flight of “Hili,” the nation’s first hybrid heavy-cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). This achievement, unveiled during the first-ever Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, isn’t just about a new drone taking to the skies; it’s a powerful statement of intent. The UAE is strategically positioning itself not merely as a participant but as a global leader in the burgeoning fields of advanced air mobility (AAM) and next-generation autonomous logistics. The development and successful test of a homegrown heavy-lift UAV signals a significant leap in the nation’s technological and industrial capabilities.
The Hili project represents a core component of a much larger national strategy, strongly backed by the UAE’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC). The goal is clear: to build a robust, innovation-driven ecosystem that can design, build, and deploy high-impact technologies for a global market. The successful flight, which took place at LODD’s test facility in Al Ain, demonstrates a remarkable acceleration from concept to reality. Founded only in May 2023, LODD Autonomous has moved with incredible speed, proving that the UAE’s vision for a future built on autonomous systems is rapidly materializing. This isn’t just a technological milestone; it’s a strategic one, aimed at revolutionizing the supply chain and establishing Abu Dhabi as a central hub for the future of logistics.
From Blueprint to Big Sky: The Rapid Ascent of Hili
The journey of the Hili UAV from a design concept to a flight-ready aircraft has been nothing short of meteoric. LODD Autonomous, established in May 2023, froze the aircraft’s configuration by February 2024 and had completed all ground testing by October 2025. This compressed timeline is a testament to the focused, safety-first engineering program implemented by the company and reflects the dynamic environment fostered by Abu Dhabi’s strategic investment in technology. The successful maiden flight on November 13, 2025, was not just a test; it was a showcase of the UAE’s capacity for rapid, indigenous innovation in a highly complex and competitive aerospace sector.
Unlike many cargo drones that are retrofitted from passenger designs, Hili was purpose-built for logistics. This design philosophy is evident in its practical features, such as a modular cargo bay designed to hold two standard Euro-pallets and an easy side-loading mechanism. The aircraft is engineered for full autonomy, from vertical take-off to landing, and incorporates real-time monitoring to ensure operational integrity. This focus on pure cargo application is aimed squarely at solving a persistent challenge in the global supply chain: the “middle-mile.” This segment, which involves moving goods from large distribution centers to smaller, local hubs, is often plagued by inefficiencies that Hili is designed to overcome.
Powering this innovation is a sophisticated hybrid-electric propulsion system. This design choice cleverly combines electric motors for the energy-intensive vertical take-off and landing phases with a traditional internal combustion engine for efficient long-range forward flight. According to the official announcement, this configuration gives Hili an impressive payload capacity of 250 kilograms and a substantial range of up to 700 kilometers. This blend of power and endurance makes it a versatile tool for a wide range of logistics operations, capable of connecting disparate parts of a supply network quickly and efficiently.
“The first flight of Hili marks a defining moment for LODD and for Abu Dhabi’s advanced aviation industry… This milestone demonstrates the UAE’s capability to deliver homegrown technologies with global impact, reinforcing its position as a hub for advanced air mobility and next-generation logistics.” – Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD Autonomous
Forging Alliances: Global Confidence and Strategic Partnerships
Even before its first flight, the Hili project garnered significant attention and, more importantly, secured the confidence of major players in the global logistics industry. This early market validation is a powerful indicator of the aircraft’s perceived potential and the strength of LODD’s vision. A series of high-profile agreements signed in the weeks leading up to the flight underscore the strong commercial interest in this new platform. These Partnerships are not just symbolic; they lay the groundwork for Hili’s integration into existing and future logistics networks, both locally and internationally.
On November 3, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with Etihad Cargo, the cargo division of the UAE’s national airline. This agreement made Etihad Cargo the first Airlines to adopt an aircraft designed and built in Abu Dhabi, a proud moment for the nation’s aviation sector. Shortly after, on November 10, a collaboration agreement was inked with EMX, supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), to integrate drone logistics into smart supply chain operations. These local partnerships are crucial for establishing a domestic ecosystem where Hili can be tested, refined, and scaled.
The interest extends far beyond the UAE’s borders. During the flight ceremony itself, LODD formalized agreements with two international powerhouses. An agreement with UK-based Skyports Drone Services, a global leader that conducts operations for the Royal Mail and the NHS, opens doors to European markets. Skyports sees Hili as a key asset for expanding its heavy-lift, long-range capabilities. Simultaneously, a deal was signed with Singapore’s ST Engineering, one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, to introduce the Hili aircraft to key markets across the Asia Pacific. These strategic alliances provide LODD with a clear pathway to global markets and validate the Hili platform on an international stage.
Conclusion: Charting the Course for an Autonomous Future
The successful first flight of the Hili UAV is more than a single event; it is a clear indicator of the UAE’s strategic direction. By fostering an environment that can produce advanced technology like Hili, Abu Dhabi is solidifying its role as a global hub for innovation. The project, backed by entities like the ATRC and the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), showcases a holistic approach. The UAE is not only developing the hardware but is also proactively creating the regulatory framework needed for its safe and effective deployment. The government’s work on establishing dedicated air corridors for autonomous cargo Drones, with a target for commercial services by 2026, demonstrates a clear, long-term vision.
Looking ahead, the implications are vast. The Hili platform and others like it have the potential to fundamentally reshape logistics, making supply chains faster, more efficient, and more resilient. For the UAE, this represents a significant step in diversifying its economy and exporting high-value, homegrown technology. As Faisal Al Bannai, Secretary-General of the ATRC, noted, this achievement demonstrates that a dedicated team in the UAE can build technology to compete with established global players. The flight of Hili is not an end point, but the beginning of a new chapter in which Abu Dhabi helps write the future of autonomous aviation.
FAQ
Question: What is the Hili UAV?
Answer: Hili is the UAE’s first indigenously designed, built, and tested hybrid-electric, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) heavy-cargo Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It was developed by the Abu Dhabi-based company LODD Autonomous.
Question: What are the key specifications of the Hili aircraft?
Answer: According to the official press release, the Hili UAV has a payload capacity of 250 kilograms and a range of up to 700 kilometers. It features a modular cargo bay capable of holding two standard Euro-pallets.
Question: What is the strategic importance of Hili’s first flight?
Answer: The flight is a major milestone in the UAE’s strategy to become a global leader in advanced air mobility (AAM) and autonomous logistics. It demonstrates the nation’s growing capability to develop and manufacture advanced aerospace systems and export homegrown technology.
Sources: PR Newswire
Photo Credit: LODD
UAV & Drones
Sikorsky Nomad 100 Completes Initial Flight Tests for DARPA
Sikorsky’s Nomad 100 UAS finishes initial testing under DARPA’s EVADE program, advancing toward multirole mission replication.
Sikorsky has concluded the initial ground and flight testing phase for its Nomad 100 uncrewed aerial system, advancing the platform toward multirole mission replication for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The Lockheed Martin subsidiary announced the milestone on July 22, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom.
In a press release issued by Lockheed Martin, the company confirmed the testing supports the Early VTOL Aircraft Demonstration (EVADE) program managed by DARPA. The Nomad 100 represents Sikorsky’s entry into the uncrewed aerial system (UAS) market, utilizing a rotor blown wing architecture designed to combine the vertical lift capabilities of a Helicopters with the speed and endurance of a fixed-wing Military-Aircraft.
Technical specifications and EVADE program integration
The Nomad 100 is classified as a Group 3 UAS and features an 18-foot wingspan. The aircraft is engineered for runway-independent operations, allowing it to deploy from austere forward operating bases, unimproved landing zones, and ship decks. The platform is intended to operate in contested environments, specifically focusing on crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities.
Under the EVADE program, the Nomad 100 is one of five platforms slated to integrate the MATRIX autonomy suite developed by Sikorsky. Following the completion of these initial tests, Sikorsky plans to transition the aircraft to a government facility for an intensive flight test campaign aimed at replicating complex multirole missions.
Expanding the MATRIX autonomy ecosystem
The advancement of the Nomad 100 follows broader efforts by Sikorsky to deploy its autonomous flight technology across multiple aircraft types. On July 20, 2026, the Manufacturers announced an agreement to integrate the MATRIX autonomy suite into the ALIA MV250 hybrid-vertical-take-off-and-landing (hVTOL) aircraft produced by BETA Technologies.
Sikorsky Vice President and General Manager Rich Benton stated that the ongoing flight testing of the Nomad 100 reflects the commitment of the company to advancing autonomous technology to fill operational gaps.
“Nomad will serve as part of a crewed-uncrewed team complementing missions anywhere from austere forward operating bases to ship decks and unimproved landing zones,” Benton said in the company statement.
AirPro News analysis
We view Sikorsky’s dual announcements at Farnborough as a clear indicator of the company’s strategy to decouple its MATRIX autonomy software from its proprietary hardware. By simultaneously advancing its own Nomad 100 platform for DARPA and integrating MATRIX into third-party aircraft like the BETA ALIA MV250, Sikorsky is positioning its autonomy suite as a universal operating system for next-generation vertical lift. The focus on runway independence and crewed-uncrewed teaming aligns directly with current United States Department of Defense procurement priorities for contested logistics.
Sources: Lockheed Martin (July 22, 2026)
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
UAV & Drones
Archer Aviation and Anduril Unveil Dual-Use VTOL Platform
Archer Aviation and Anduril Industries debut Halo and Thunder autonomous VTOL variants at Farnborough Airshow, targeting 2027 first flight.
Archer Aviation and Anduril Industries have jointly unveiled a new dual-use autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft platform at the Farnborough International Airshow, marking Archer’s strategic expansion beyond passenger air taxis into heavy-payload unpiloted logistics.
In a press release issued on July 22, 2026, Archer announced the commercial variant of the platform, named “Halo,” alongside strategic launch partner Marubeni Aerospace Corporation. This followed the July 20, 2026, debut of the defense variant, “Thunder,” by defense technology company Anduril Industries. The clean-sheet aircraft leverages eight years of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology developed for Archer’s Midnight passenger aircraft, adapted specifically for unpiloted cargo, emergency, and military missions.
Engineering and performance specifications
The new platform utilizes a series hybrid-electric powertrain and dual optimum-speed tiltrotors to achieve runway-independent operations. Classified as a Group 5 autonomous aircraft, the design prioritizes heavy payload capacity, extended range, and rapid deployment capabilities. The aircraft is designed to be transported in standard shipping containers, facilitating global logistics and military forward-deployment.
According to reporting by The Air Current, Anduril executives shaped the aircraft’s parameters to carry a payload comparable to an Apache helicopter while maintaining the speed and range of a Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II. The joint venture is targeting 2027 for the first flight of the prototype.
Shane Arnott, Senior Vice President of Maneuver Dominance at Anduril Industries, highlighted the engineering strategy in an interview with Aerospace Global News. Arnott stated that harnessing commercial eVTOL technologies for defense applications is central to how the Thunder variant will deliver operational value, describing the platform as a step change in capability.
Commercial applications and the Marubeni partnership
For the commercial market, Archer’s Halo variant targets logistics and Cargo-Aircraft operations that currently rely on piloted aircraft. Marubeni Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of Marubeni Corporation, has signed on as the strategic launch partner to introduce the Halo platform to commercial operators.
“Currently, even in cargo transport operations that do not require onboard crew, flights are conducted with human pilots, absorbing the cost, scheduling constraints and human exposure that come with it,” said Satoru Nakagawa, President and CEO of Marubeni Aerospace Corporation. “Halo’s unmanned, autonomous flight capabilities can address these challenges.”
Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein emphasized the platform’s distinct capabilities compared to the company’s existing passenger models. In the company’s release, Goldstein noted that the partnership with Anduril allowed Archer to build a clean-sheet aircraft in a completely different class of range, speed, and payload, calling it the most sophisticated vertical lift platform ever developed.
AirPro News analysis
We view the introduction of the Halo and Thunder platforms as a critical pivot for Archer Aviation. By diversifying its product line beyond the Midnight passenger eVTOL, Archer is insulating itself against the regulatory and infrastructure delays inherent in launching urban air mobility networks. The Partnerships with Anduril also opens access to lucrative defense contracts, particularly in the wake of the U.S. Army’s cancellation of the Future Attack and Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program in early 2024. If the joint venture can meet its target of a 2027 First-Flight, the platform could capture significant market share in both military logistics and commercial heavy-lift cargo sectors.
Sources: Archer Aviation
Photo Credit: Archer Aviation
UAV & Drones
Mach Industries Wins DIU Contract for RIMES Maritime UAS
Mach Industries awarded a DIU contract to develop the Atlas hybrid-electric UAS for long-range Navy strike missions.
Mach Industries has secured a Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) contract to develop a hybrid-electric unmanned aerial system (UAS) capable of launching 1,000-pound payloads over 1,400 nautical miles from United States Navy vessels lacking traditional flight decks.
Announced in a June 16, 2026, press release, the award positions Mach Industries as the aircraft integrator for the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program. The company is partnering with propulsion developer Whisper Aero to deliver the new aircraft, designated as Atlas. The DIU initially published the RIMES solicitation in February 2026 to address the Navy’s need for long-range strike capabilities from expeditionary locations and smaller surface combatants.
Atlas UAS and JetFoil propulsion specifications
The Atlas UAS utilizes a hybrid-electric design intended to operate from unimproved rotary-wing landing zones while maintaining the control simplicity of a fixed-wing aircraft. According to Mach Industries, the platform requires less than half the thrust-to-weight ratio typically needed for vertical flight.
Whisper Aero is supplying its JetFoil propulsion system for the Atlas. The manufacturer states the JetFoil enables 90 degrees of flow turning at 95 percent efficiency, generating a lift coefficient of 40 at 15 knots.
“We developed JetFoil to propel the next generation of conventional, short, and vertical takeoff and landing aircraft silently and efficiently,” said Mark Moore, Chief Executive Officer of Whisper Aero. “With JetFoil, Atlas can effectively meet the needs of the RIMES mission to operate even from Destroyer class vessels.”
Mach Industries President and Chief Strategy Officer Nathan Diller noted the platform is designed to deliver improvements in mission lethality, logistics footprint, acoustic signature, system safety, and energy efficiency.
Expanding distributed maritime lethality
The RIMES program targets a specific operational gap for the Department of the Navy. The military branch requires systems that can execute long-range strikes using standard munitions without relying on aircraft carriers or land-based runways.
Target vessels for the Atlas system include Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, Littoral Combat Ships, and future FF(X) frigates. Reporting from Breaking Defense indicates this initiative is designed to counter anti-ship weapons in contested environments by distributing heavy munition launch capabilities across a wider array of smaller ships.
DIU Director Owen West emphasized the economic and tactical drivers behind the program.
“We are determined to dramatically lower our cost-per kill, while reducing our risk to force, replacing warfighters with economical fires and robots,” West stated.
The exact financial value of the DIU contract awarded to Mach Industries was not disclosed in the announcement.
AirPro News analysis
We view the RIMES contract award as a clear indicator of the U.S. Navy’s commitment to distributed maritime operations. By enabling destroyers and frigates to launch 1,000-pound payloads over 1,400 nautical miles, the Navy can significantly complicate adversary targeting. The choice of a hybrid-electric platform is particularly notable. While traditional solid-rocket or turbojet boosters are standard for maritime strike missiles, the Atlas UAS approach suggests a prioritization of acoustic stealth and fuel logistics. If Whisper Aero’s JetFoil system meets its stated efficiency metrics in operational testing, it could validate a new propulsion paradigm for heavy-payload expeditionary drones.
Sources: Mach Industries (via PR Newswire)
Photo Credit: Mach Industries
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