Natilus is a futuristic cargo plane

Sooner or later, drones will carry out most of the air cargo transportation. Numerous startups present prototypes of various sizes and configurations. But even among such a variety, Natilus stands out.


The main design difference is the use of the “mixed wing” scheme, which implies the merging of hull elements into a massive assembly. Due to this, the main part of the load falls on a wide body, inside which much more cargo can be placed than in standard-configuration aircraft.

Details

The Kona 3,8T is designed for medium distance flights. Last year, a smaller copy of the drone made a successful takeoff from one of the airfields, reached a speed of 113 km/h and landed at the specified location.


The development team has proven that complex autopilot systems are not needed for normal movement. The modules used by the startup are enough to ensure stability in flight and constant control of equipment. Everything went as planned, which was the reason for the decision to build a full-fledged sample, which will pass the required tests to obtain a certificate.

At 26 meters long (even wider), it is the largest cargo drone in the world. The power plant consists of two Hartzell screw engines located at the rear.


The technical characteristics are impressive: the board is capable of carrying up to 4,3 tons, thanks to the spacious compartment, loading and unloading is simplified. For takeoff and landing, stripes with a length of 800 meters are suitable. The power reserve is more than 1600 km, and the speed exceeds 400 km/h.

The aircraft design and unmanned control system reduce operating costs by 60%, and the payload capacity is increased by half. The prototype will make its first flight in 2024, if there are no unforeseen problems.


The company's management said that to date they have already pre-ordered 460 pieces of equipment, for a total amount of $6,8 billion. This shows how much interest the novelty aroused among the leaders of the aviation industry.

The company is working on other models, but they will be presented in the coming years. For example, the 130T version will have a range of 9 km, which will allow transcontinental flights.