This autonomous cargo plane that can replace traditional helicopters is now accepting orders — take a look at the the Nuuva V300

Brittany ChangSep 17, 2020, 18:21 IST

The Nuuva V300 in nature.Pipistrel

Pipistrel is now accepting orders for the Nuuva V300, an autonomous electric take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft built for cargo delivery.
The Nuuva V300 uses electric battery-powered engines for take-off and landing, but an internal combustion engine for cruising.
The aircraft will be available in the latter half of 2023, but its smaller iteration — the V20 — will be ready for delivery next year.

Pipistrel is now accepting orders for its flagship Nuuva V300, an autonomous electric take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft used for cargo delivery.

The Slovenia-based company is an award-winning aircraft and propulsion system producer with a specialization in affordable, small, and efficient aircrafts. Now, it's applying these same company concepts to the V300 and its smaller iteration, the V20.

According to Pipistrel, helicopters are often employed for cargo delivery around the world. But according to V300's maker, the traditional helicopter depends too heavily on rotors for lift while cruising in the air, which the company says is inefficient. These aircrafts also utilize many moving parts, which can in turn increase maintenance and ownership costs.

According to Pipistrel, the company has a solution to these issues. Unlike helicopters, the V300 — which has tandem wings and both electric and non-electric engines — is 10 times cheaper to own, in part because of its decreased number of moving parts and, consequently, lower maintenance costs.

The aircraft uses a hybrid system for flight.

The Nuuva V300 and V20 on an airport tarmac. Pipistrel

The V300 can take-off and land in altitudes up to 8,000 feet high with a climbing rate of 60 feet-per-minute.

The Nuuva V300 by an oil rig. Pipistrel

The Nuuva V300 is also customizable per the client's cargo delivery needs.

The Nuuva V300 in nature. Pipistrel

The cargo area — which is 106 square feet — can be loaded with a forklift through the nose of the fuselage.

The Nuuva V300 on an airport tarmac. Pipistrel

Upon takeoff, the V300 can fly a pre-uploaded path by itself, although a separate human operator can also communicate with the aircraft in case changes to the original plan need to be made.

The Nuuva V300 on an airport tarmac. Pipistrel

Upon takeoff, the V300 can fly a pre-uploaded path by itself, although a separate human operator can also communicate with the aircraft in case changes to the original plan need to be made.

The Nuuva V300 will be available in the latter half of 2023.

The Nuuva V20 being loaded. Pipistrel

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This autonomous cargo plane that can replace traditional helicopters is now accepting orders — take a look at the the Nuuva V300

The aircraft uses a hybrid system for flight.

The V300 can take-off and land in altitudes up to 8,000 feet high with a climbing rate of 60 feet-per-minute.

The Nuuva V300 is also customizable per the client's cargo delivery needs.

The cargo area — which is 106 square feet — can be loaded with a forklift through the nose of the fuselage.

Upon takeoff, the V300 can fly a pre-uploaded path by itself, although a separate human operator can also communicate with the aircraft in case changes to the original plan need to be made.

The Nuuva V300 will be available in the latter half of 2023.