Elroy Air Picks Kratos as Exclusive US Manufacturer of Chaparral Cargo Drone
California-based Elroy Air has chosen defense prime contractor Kratos to be the exclusive US manufacturer of its Chaparral cargo drone.
The five-year strategic agreement aims to accelerate the anticipated large-scale manufacturing of the hybrid-electric autonomous vertical takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) system, with the first unit scheduled for production next year.
Initial assembly will take place at Kratos’ Sacramento, California, aircraft facility before shifting to full-scale output in Oklahoma, creating local jobs and expanding the supply chain.
Elroy Air CEO Andrew Clare said that Kratos is “an established and trusted producer of military UAS and unique in their manufacturing focus on affordability.”
It supplied XQ-58A Valkyrie drones to the US Marine Corps for testing, while also partnering with Taiwan’s state-run National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology to develop the Mighty Hornet IV high-speed attack drone.
“We are thrilled to partner with Elroy Air to produce their industry-leading drone for the dual-use market,” said Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division.
Chaparral Drone
Able to autonomously transport up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of cargo over 300 miles (483 kilometers), the Chaparral is suited for military resupply, disaster relief, and commercial express delivery.
It uses a mix of fuel and batteries, which allows it to refuel quickly, recharge its own batteries while flying, power extra equipment during flight, and carry cargo farther than drones that only use batteries.
In a series of trials in August, the uncrewed aircraft marked a key milestone by successfully shifting from vertical takeoff to forward wingborne flight, boosting its overall efficiency.
