On 31 January 2025 – Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced the successful first hover flight of the Nuuva V300, a long-range, large-capacity hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) unmanned aircraft. This milestone marked an advancement in the development of advanced, sustainable, and versatile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The Nuuva V300 is designed to carry a 600-pound payload over a range of up to 300 nautical miles and is capable of operating from paved or unimproved surfaces. The aircraft is engineered to load cargo through the nose of the fuselage, simplifying the process for operators and allowing for multiple payload configurations. Built to support a capacity of more than 100 cubic feet, it can hold up to three cargo pallets or be loaded with loose cargo, enhancing its utility for a variety of logistics needs.
“We are thrilled to witness the Nuuva V300’s first flight, a demonstration of our leadership in emerging technology and advanced air mobility, as well as our commitment to multi-purpose aviation solutions,” shared Kriya Shortt, President & 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 defence missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and ship-to-shore deliveries.”
“Today’s milestone is a testament to the hard work and innovative spirit of our team at Pipistrel,” added Gabriel Massey, President & Managing Director of Pipistrel. “The Nuuva’s first flight demonstrates Pipistrel’s strength in electric propulsion and dedication to advancing the aviation industry through our active involvement in research programs and our successful collaboration with regulatory agencies, including our recent operational authorization from the Italian Civil Air Authority (ENAC).”
Equipped with a zero-emission electric vertical take-off powertrain and a separate dedicated cruise propulsion system, the Nuuva V300 will provide unparalleled flexibility and runway independence. The aircraft is powered by in-house developed proprietary battery systems, ensuring efficient, sustainable and cost-effective performance. This unique combination of technologies will enable the Nuuva V300 to operate in a wide range of environments.
The Nuuva V300 is remotely monitored by an operator at the ground control station, developed in cooperation with Textron Systems, a fellow Textron Inc. company, enabling fully automatic point-and-click operations. Textron Systems has decades of experience designing, manufacturing and fielding uncrewed command and control systems, including millions of operational UAS flight hours in support of several U.S. Army Programs of Records.
The aircraft, which is equipped with automatic Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight capabilities, will transition from vertical to forward flight on its wings and follow the most recent flight plan until landing. The first air vehicle is powered by a fly-by-wire, triple-redundant flight control system supplied by Honeywell.
To support the continued expansion of the aircraft’s flight envelope, a second Nuuva V300 air vehicle will also join the flight program in 2025. This addition will further enhance the aircraft’s performance and ensure it meets the highest standards of safety and reliability.
