AIR and Elmo Motion Control Partner to Enhance Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Platform
Elmo will integrate its high-performance motion control solution into AIR's Heavy Lift UAS – a VTOL-capable uncrewed cargo aircraft capable of 550lb payloads.
(Tel Aviv, Israel) Smart aircraft developer AIR announced today (Aug. 25) a strategic partnership with Elmo Motion Control to integrate Elmo’s high-performance motion control solution into AIR’s Heavy Lift Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) – a VTOL-capable uncrewed cargo aircraft capable of 550lb payloads.
Image of a soldier in front of AIR’s Cargo Heavy-Lift UAS courtesy of AIR.
Per today’s press release from AIR, “the partnership brings together Elmo’s compact, high-power density servo drives and AIR’s next-generation electric aviation design to support the goal of maximizing aircraft efficiency and mission performance.”
For background, AIR’s unmanned cargo aircraft maintains a one-hour flight endurance and is categorized as a Group 4 UAS by the U.S. Department of Defense. To date, more than 25 units of AIR’s Cargo-Heavy Lift UAS have been ordered and paid for, according to the company.
Elmo’s Gold HV motor drive will power AIR’s eight electric propulsion motors, delivering precise and responsive control, with the collaboration contributing to one of the industry’s highest payload-to-size ratios for autonomous cargo aircraft, according to AIR.
Per AIR, as part of the integration, Elmo’s high-efficiency drive system will enable air-cooled operation, eliminating the need for complex liquid cooling systems — by removing this component, AIR’s platform benefits from reduced weight, lower system complexity, and increased payload capacity.
"Our uncrewed cargo platform is a mission-ready system, and this new partnership enhances our aircraft’s ability to deliver performance and value while meeting operational demands," said Rani Plaut, CEO, AIR. "Working with Elmo will ensure that the future of autonomous flight and unmanned logistics are as safe as possible, while maintaining capabilities and meeting requirements across defense, commercial, and humanitarian needs."
Rami Chanan, VP Sales & Marketing at Elmo Motion Control, said: “At Elmo, we’re passionate about helping our customers turn bold ideas into reality, and our collaboration with AIR is a perfect example of what’s possible when innovation meets engineering excellence. Our Gold and Platinum HV servo drives deliver exceptional power density through a master-slave configuration, supplying 210A at 805V to each motor while maintaining a compact, air-cooled design that eliminates the need for heavier liquid-cooling systems. This unique combination of high power, low weight, and compact size has enabled AIR to achieve one of the industry’s highest payload-to-size ratios.”
