Tactical Robotics is expanding the flight testing of its Cormorant drone, the Urban Aeronautics subsidiary announced Monday. The company has been expanding the flight envelope of the drone, formerly known as AirMule, during ongoing, untethered flight testing this summer, Tactical Robotics said in a statement. The testing also involved gauging modifications that enhance the flight control and multiple sensor suite. Safety and reliability are also being increased via implementation of full redundancy of all critical functions, the company said. Fully autonomous navigation, as well as automated takeoff and landing, became standard on all flights this month. Upcoming tests will include gradual and careful increase of airspeed, as well as full pattern flights over adjacent fields. Cormorant is designed for both military and civil applications. Its primary military missions include cargo delivery, casualty evacuation, maritime missions and humanitarian relief. On the civil side, the drone can undertake emergency response and commercial applications, including parcel delivery. Cormorant will be able to carry payloads of up to 1,100 pounds over distances that stretch more than 30 miles.
Drone developer Tactical Robotics has expanded the testing of its Cormorant drone flagship product, which will be able to carry up to 1,100lbs over distances over 30 miles. The Urban Aeronautics subsidiary has been testing Cormorant drone modifications to flight control and sensors, with fully-autonomous navigation, automated take-off and landing now standard. Further testing will involve increased airspeed and full pattern flights. The Cormorant drone is designed for military and civilian use, with its primary design being to undertake cargo delivery and healthcare responses such as casualty evacuation and humanitarian relief.