Overwatch Group and PteroDynamics have completed the first ever UK flights with the pioneering Transwing® unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

As the two companies' official literature explains, critical items delivered by air for resupply are conducted mainly using manned aviation assets. On the basis of "Think Big, Start Small and Scale at Pace”, the payloads selected for the Transwing® X-P4 and X-P5 variants have been driven by studies into critical resupply to ships. The study of 3,500 sorties using helicopters found that 46% had a payload under 1Kg and over 90% were under 25Kg.

The ability of Transwing® to carry payloads that land and launch on moving vessels and vehicles, coupled with a significantly reduced real estate footprint underscores its adaptability for at sea and land applications, where autonomous operation and payload delivery are becoming increasingly critical requirements.

FW MAG had the opportunity to interview Overwatch’s and PteroDynamics’ officials, so to have more insights into this potentially groundbreaking solution for military logistics at sea.

FW MAG: What potential military and civilian applications do you envision for the Transwing® UAS?

Overwatch&PteroDynamics: The PteroDynamics autonomous Transwing VTOL aircraft is a flexible UAS platform, well suited for dual-use applications. As the Transwing’s folding wing configuration combines the speed, endurance, and range of a fixed-wing aircraft with outstanding VTOL performance - even in adverse conditions like harsh weather or disputed environments - it is an ideal platform for timely delivery of critical payloads to remote locations without runways.

Both defense and commercial operators are very interested in highly automated Transwing aircraft for maritime logistics and resupply missions. The U.S. Navy has been testing the integration of Transwing in fleet operations for ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore-to-ship delivery of critical parts and medications during exercises like the Hybrid Fleet Campaign Event (HFCE) last fall and most recently the 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises this summer. On the civilian side, serving commercial shipping and energy companies represents a growing market opportunity. The Transwing can provide a cost-effective solution for autonomous resupply missions to commercial shipping vessels. There are more than 100,000 vessels of more than 100 gross tons that make 4.4 million ports of call per year, requiring paperwork and other deliveries before coming into port. Energy companies operating and servicing offshore oil and gas rigs and wind farms require ongoing support during construction and operations, and autonomous Transwing can provide a safe, cost-effective alternative to crewed aircraft and boats.

Other military and civilian applications include linear inspection and ISR, automated cargo delivery, and public safety. Transwing UAS can help automate the inspection of remote rail, oil and gas pipelines, and power grid transmission lines. For military ISR missions, they can carry fixed payloads and sensors in contested environments. Automating delivery to remote land-based locations not accessible by road or airstrip is valuable for military applications as well as for mining, oil and gas, and research. Also, Transwing UAS can provide long-range surveillance and reconnaissance in support of law enforcement and government agencies.

FW MAG: How does the strategic relationship with Overwatch Group enhance PteroDynamics' ability to enter new markets?

Overwatch&PteroDynamics: The strategic relationship we have between our two companies is the first distribution agreement to bring the dual-use Transwing to countries outside the United States. Overwatch is the exclusive sales representative of the Transwing UAS within the UK for non-commercial sales, and in the United Arab Emirates and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for commercial and defense sales. PteroDynamics has achieved success by teaming with industry leaders to boost rapid innovation and create solutions that solve unmet customer needs. Overwatch is an agile innovator like PteroDynamics, with deep technical expertise and ties with defense and commercial customers in these markets. Our relationship will be an effective way to demonstrate the revolutionary capabilities of the Transwing to future customers, and we expect it will be a force multiplier for both companies.

FW MAG: Can you discuss any feedback or interest you've received from UK government or industry representatives following the demonstration?

Overwatch&PteroDynamics: It is early days as we’ve only just established the relationship between Overwatch and Ptero and the demonstration equipment has very recently arrived in UK. However, following our first UK flights witnessed by invited media, we’re already seeing some early interest from a number of areas of the UK MoD customer base, and we’ll be conducting some customer demonstration flights this week to introduce the MoD audience to the capabilities on offer.

FW MAG: How does the Transwing® UAS perform in maritime environments, given the recent tests conducted with the US Navy?

Overwatch&PteroDynamics: The Transwing’s outstanding VTOL performance that delivers a high degree of controllability and gust tolerance and its ability to transition quickly between thrust-borne and wing-borne flight make it an excellent platform to operate in turbulent winds and heavy sea states. Several weeks ago, during the RIMPAC 2024 exercises, three X-P4 Transwing aircraft participated in twelve demonstration flights from the deck of the U.S. Navy guided missile class destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur, transporting cargo up to 15 pounds.

We are very pleased with the Transwing’s performance, and our ability to integrate with Naval operations. RIMPAC is an important multinational naval exercise, involving 29 nations, 40 surface ships, and over 25,000 personnel. Multiple Transwing aircraft operated simultaneously from the deck of the Curtiss Wilbur while underway at 20 knots, demonstrating autonomous takeoff and landing with +19 knot crosswinds and transitions from vertical to fixed-wing flight. The goal was to experiment and test the launch and recovery of autonomous UAS to support just-in-time ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore delivery of critical parts.

For agile companies like PteroDynamics, the real-world experience of working with the U.S. Navy on board the ship provides invaluable data and rapidly accelerates innovation and the platform. We are very grateful for this opportunity and for the support of the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft (NAWCAD) and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). Last Fall, during the U.S. Navy 4th Fleet Hybrid Fleet Campaign Event (HFCE), the Transwing made 9 autonomous launch and recovery demonstrations from the USNS Burlington. U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti and representatives from the Royal Navy, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal Netherlands Navy, and the Swedish Navy were present.

FW MAG: Thank you for your insights!