Yates Electrospace Corporation (YEC) has announced it has signed a Silent Arrow Airdrop Development contract with the US Special Operations Command entitled, the company said.
Silent Arrow is a production-ready, 1-ton, autonomous cargo aircraft, which delivers up to 1,631 pounds (740 kg) of supplies at less than half the cost of JPADS with more than double the glide ratio, dramatically improved landing accuracy, zero vertical impact force and with far greater stealth.
Under the contract, USSOCOM will provide access to aircraft, test ranges and subject matter experts to establish the airworthiness and performance of Silent Arrow for resupplying tactical teams within a hostile environment, resupplying forward operating bases, and delivering critical humanitarian aid and disaster relief without the need to land or place USSOCOM aircrew in harm´s way.
USSOCOM developmental efforts under the contract are being led primarily by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), with additional operational requirements coming from the US Army 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) for Silent Arrow applications for rotorcraft and other specialized tactical support.
Yates Electrospace Corporation is known for designing, building and flying manned electric aircraft, developing and constructing megawatt-class electric propulsion systems, and successfully performing government contracts including unmanned delivery aircraft in the Silent Arrow product line up to the 2000-pound (DOD Group 5 UAS) class.
