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15. August 2025
Piasecki Unveils Kargo Ii: Autonomous Vtol Powerhouse Set To Revolutionize Military And Commercial Logistics
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation has unveiled KARGO II, the latest evolution in autonomous Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) logistics. This cutting-edge unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) medium-lift is designed to meet the varied demands of both military and commercial operations, offering substantial payload, drivetrain, and performance upgrades that complement Piasecki’s existing KARGO UAV.
Acquired from Kaman Air Vehicles in April 2025, KARGO II represents a major milestone in Piasecki’s commitment to rapidly advancing autonomous vertical lift capabilities. The company has consistently demonstrated its expertise in VTOL system development and flight testing, with KARGO II being the pre-planned production-representative configuration resulting from the program’s spiral development approach.
The growing demand for scalable, uncrewed alternatives in high-risk environments has driven the need for efficient solutions to reduce costs associated with sustained flight operations. KARGO II addresses this need by offering a more capable, scalable solution for autonomous logistics.
The system’s compact form factor is retained from KARGO UAV, while delivering 2-3x the payload capacity – ranging from approximately 500-800 lbs (227-363kg) to over 1,500lbs (680kg) – with improved range, airspeed, and mission flexibility. The new optimized shaft-driven transmission, paired with larger rotors, enables the increased performance.
KARGO II builds upon successful flight testing and demonstration milestones completed by KARGO UAV under early U.S. Army and Marine Corps contracts. These achievements include autonomous lift operations and integration with advanced flight control systems, showcasing the system’s potential in high-risk environments.
The launch of KARGO II comes at a critical time, as these capabilities become increasingly vital for military and commercial logistics providers seeking to reduce costs and enhance efficiency. With its enhanced payload capacity, improved range, and airspeed, this next-generation autonomous VTOL has the potential to significantly reduce costs associated with sustained flight operations in high-risk environments.
“We’re thrilled to introduce KARGO II, which reflects our commitment to rapidly advancing autonomous vertical lift capabilities,” stated John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation. “With the launch of this first major development spiral, we’ve created a more capable, scalable solution for autonomous logistics, designed to meet the evolving requirements of defense and commercial customers alike.”
Commercial availability for KARGO II in both domestic and international markets is planned for late 2027, subject to production and certification milestones. Initial demand exceeds 300 vehicles from sectors such as energy, logistics, disaster response, and remote infrastructure support.
“KARGO II is a direct response to operator feedback, validated use cases, and real-world mission needs,” noted Romin Dasmalchi, Director of Cargo UAS Programs at Piasecki. “We’ve engineered a platform that offers the range, lift, and reliability that commercial operators and military planners have been asking for.”
KARGO II will be initially manufactured at Piasecki’s state-of-the-art Heliplex facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, leveraging the company’s long-standing expertise in VTOL system development and flight testing. Additional program partners and supply chain contributors will be announced in the coming months.
The introduction of KARGO II represents a major leap forward for Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, solidifying its position as a leader in the autonomous VTOL industry. As we look to the future, it is likely that KARGO II will play a significant role in shaping the future of logistics by offering a scalable solution for military and commercial operations.
KARGO II’s compact form factor, substantial payload capacity, and improved performance make it an attractive option for sectors where legacy helicopter operations are often cost-prohibitive or logistically constrained. The growing demand for autonomous VTOL solutions underscores the need for innovative platforms like KARGO II, which is poised to transform logistics with its capabilities.
As the autonomous VTOL industry continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how KARGO II and similar technologies shape the future of logistics operations across various sectors. With its enhanced payload capacity, improved range, and airspeed, KARGO II has the potential to significantly impact logistics operations in high-risk environments, offering a more capable, scalable solution for autonomous logistics.
KARGO II is part of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation’s commitment to advancing autonomous vertical lift capabilities. As the company continues to push the boundaries of innovation, it remains committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that meet the evolving needs of defense and commercial customers alike.
The launch of KARGO II marks an exciting milestone for Piasecki Aircraft Corporation and the autonomous VTOL industry as a whole. With its scalable solution for military and commercial operations, KARGO II is poised to play a significant role in shaping the future of logistics by offering a more capable, scalable solution for autonomous logistics.
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation’s focus on delivering innovative solutions like KARGO II will likely yield significant benefits in the years to come. As the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial logistics providers continue to seek efficient solutions to reduce costs associated with sustained flight operations, Piasecki’s commitment to advancing this technology is likely to have a lasting impact on the industry.
The future of logistics will be shaped by innovative platforms like KARGO II, which offer scalable, uncrewed alternatives for high-risk environments. With its enhanced payload capacity, improved range, and airspeed, KARGO II has the potential to significantly reduce costs associated with sustained flight operations in these environments.