Whisper Aero reveals a family of autonomous aircraft concepts
Collectively dubbed Collaborative Logistics Aircraft, the concepts are designed to work in tandem to deliver critical payloads in combat zones.
Aviation International News reports that Crossville-based Whisper Aero Inc., the U.S. start-up developing quiet electric propulsion systems, revealed a family of autonomous aircraft concepts for contested logistics missions earlier this month during the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week event held in Tampa, FL.
With funding from the U.S. Air Force, Whisper said it will spend the next four years building and flying multiple full-scale prototypes as it strives to bring the technology into service on a program of record.
Collectively dubbed Collaborative Logistics Aircraft (CLA), the concepts are designed to work in tandem to deliver critical payloads in combat zones. “Instead of one singular platform, Whisper believes that cargo missions will increasingly rely on distributed fleets of right-sized logistics UAS capable of operation from austere runways at any time of day,” the company said in a statement.
During SOF Week, Whisper showcased two fixed-wing, hybrid-electric CLA models: the CLA Light and CLA Heavy. Both variants feature Whisper’s eQ250 electric ducted fans, which are integrated into the wing in what the company calls a “jetfoil” array.
Whisper aims to begin flying a prototype of the CLA Light in 2027 after the company achieves the first flights of the Whisper Ultralight electric glider, which it is developing in partnership with Tennessee Tech University. The company said it is working with other manufacturing and autonomy partners that it plans to announce soon.
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