A partnership between Kaman Corporation and PHI Aviation will support development of the Kargo autonomous unmanned aerial system (UAS).
At the 2023 HAI Heli-Expo, a master commercial agreement was revealed for the promotion, sales, and support of a commercial version of Kaman’s KARGO UAVTM UAS, including collaboration relating to its ongoing design and certification.
In connection with that agreement, Kaman and PHI entered into a Non-Binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that outlines PHI’s intent to purchase 50 units of Kaman’s commercial KARGO UAVTM.
Kaman and PHI expressed their commitment to work together to bring Kargo UAVTM to the broader commercial market and offer field support in the future.
“PHI is one of the most respected vertical lift suppliers in the energy, air medical and MRO industries,” said Carroll Lane, President of the Kaman Precision Products Segment.
He added: “We are delighted they have chosen Kargo UAVTM to meet the anticipated needs of their customers. PHI’s reputation for excellence, commitment to safety, and innovation leadership made them the most fitting launch customer for Kaman.”
“We look forward to working together with Kaman to augment our present fleet offering for our customers. With the addition of Kargo UAVTM to our fleet, we will be expanding our capabilities and adding value in a way that complements our core business. Kaman’s long history in heavy-lift rotorcraft systems and our shared commitment to safety makes them the perfect partner for PHI Aviation,” added Keith Mullett, Managing Director of PHI Aviation.
Kargo UAVTM is a purpose-built autonomous medium-lift logistic vehicle that is being developed for military and civilian use to meet real-world requirements for today and into the future. It is designed to be capable of carrying 800 lbs, flying 500 miles, and hover for an extended period without the requirement to transition to forward flight. According to PHI, these capabilities make the Kargo UAVTM ideal for the company and its core customers.
