Silent Arrow, the pioneering aerospace company, has secured a significant milestone by being chosen by AFWERX for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract aimed at addressing a critical challenge within the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The focus of the contract centers on Silent Arrow’s cutting-edge cargo delivery system, the CLS-300 (“Contested Logistics System, 300 Nautical Miles”).
Building upon the success of the Silent Arrow GD-2000, recognized as the world’s first heavy payload, autonomous, and attritable cargo delivery aircraft, the CLS-300 takes innovation to new heights. The GD-2000, a glider with a cargo capacity of 1,500 lbs. over 35 nautical miles, has been the foundation for the development of the CLS-300.
Distinguishing itself from its predecessor, the CLS-300 can cover nearly 10 times the distance. This remarkable capability is achieved through an innovative propulsion unit and propeller system that not only extends the range but is also cost-effective, rendering the entire cargo drone attritable. Unlike the GD-2000, the CLS-300 is not only air-droppable but can also take off from the ground, including unimproved surfaces, naval vessels, and various launch points.
Chip Yates, Founder, and CEO of Silent Arrow expressed gratitude to the U.S. Air Force, AFWERX, AFRL, and other Air Force customer and end-user organizations for their confidence in awarding this disruptive program. Yates stated, “We are looking forward to a compressed schedule with propulsion tests in the first half of 2024 followed by flight tests in the second half of 2024 so that we may rapidly deliver this critical capability to warfighters operating in harm’s way as well as to humanitarian and disaster relief organizations serving those in need.”
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