AJDOVŠČINA, Slovenia - Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. company in Ajdovščina, Slovenia, announced the first hover flight of its Nuuva V300, a hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft designed for long-range cargo transport.
The Nuuva V300 is designed to carry up to 600 pounds over a range of 300 nautical miles, operating from both paved and unimproved surfaces. The aircraft features nose-loading capability for easier cargo handling and can accommodate more than 100 cubic feet of payload, including three cargo pallets or loose freight.
“We are thrilled to witness the Nuuva V300’s first flight, a demonstration of our leadership in emerging technology and advanced air mobility,” said Kriya Shortt, president and CEO of Textron eAviation. “The Nuuva V300’s unique capabilities and robust design will not only transform logistics but also play a crucial role in commercial and defense missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and ship-to-shore deliveries.”
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Gabriel Massey, president and managing director of Pipistrel, credited the company’s expertise in electric propulsion and regulatory collaboration. "Today’s milestone is a testament to the hard work and innovative spirit of our team at Pipistrel," Massey said.
The aircraft uses a zero-emission electric vertical takeoff system combined with a dedicated cruise propulsion system, powered by proprietary battery technology. A ground control station, developed in partnership with Textron Systems, enables remote monitoring and fully automated operations. The Nuuva V300 features Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight capabilities and a Honeywell-supplied fly-by-wire, triple-redundant flight control system.
A second Nuuva V300 air vehicle is set to join the test program in 2025 to further expand flight testing and ensure compliance with safety and reliability standards.
