Ajdovščina, Slovenia, January 31, 2025 – Pipistrel, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced the successful first hover flight of the Nuuva V300, a long-range, large-capacity hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) unmanned aircraft. This milestone marks an advancement in the development of advanced, sustainable and versatile unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The Nuuva V300 is designed to carry a 600-pound payload over a range of up to 300 nautical miles and is capable of operating from paved or unimproved surfaces. The aircraft is engineered to load cargo through the nose of the fuselage, simplifying the process for operators and allowing for multiple payload configurations. Built to support a capacity of more than 100 cubic feet, it can hold up to three cargo pallets or be loaded with loose cargo, enhancing its utility for a variety of logistics needs.
“We are thrilled to witness the Nuuva V300’s first flight, a demonstration of our leadership in emerging technology and advanced air mobility, as well as our commitment to multi-purpose aviation solutions,” shared Kriya Shortt, President & CEO of Textron eAviation. “The Nuuva V300’s unique capabilities and robust design will not only transform logistics but also play a crucial role in commercial and defense missions such as search and rescue, humanitarian aid, disaster relief and ship-to-shore deliveries.”
“Today’s milestone is a testament to the hard work and innovative spirit of our team at Pipistrel,” added Gabriel Massey, President & Managing Director of Pipistrel. “The Nuuva’s first flight demonstrates Pipistrel’s strength in electric propulsion and dedication to advancing the aviation industry through our active involvement in research programs and our successful collaboration with regulatory agencies, including our recent operational authorization from the Italian Civil Air Authority (ENAC).”
Equipped with a zero-emission electric vertical take-off powertrain and a separate dedicated cruise propulsion system, the Nuuva V300 will provide unparalleled flexibility and runway independence. The aircraft is powered by in-house developed proprietary battery systems, ensuring efficient, sustainable and cost-effective performance. This unique combination of technologies will enable the Nuuva V300 to operate in a wide range of environments.
The Nuuva V300 is remotely monitored by an operator at the ground control station, developed in cooperation with Textron Systems, a fellow Textron Inc. company, enabling fully automatic point-and-click operations. Textron Systems has decades of experience designing, manufacturing and fielding uncrewed command and control systems, including millions of operational UAS flight hours in support of several U.S. Army Programs of Records.
The aircraft, which is equipped with automatic Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight capabilities, will transition from vertical to forward flight on its wings and follow the most recent flight plan until landing. The first air vehicle is powered by a fly-by-wire, triple-redundant flight control system supplied by Honeywell.
To support the continued expansion of the aircraft’s flight envelope, a second Nuuva V300 air vehicle will also join the flight program in 2025. This addition will further enhance the aircraft’s performance and ensure it meets the highest standards of safety and reliability.
For more information, visit: www.pipistrel-aircraft.com.
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About Pipistrel
In 2020, Pipistrel’s Velis Electro became the world’s first, and currently only, electric aircraft to receive full type-certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and most recently received a light-sport aircraft airworthiness exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This achievement followed a series of electric aircraft introductions since the company began research and development of electric propulsion in 2000. Pipistrel’s pioneering work has been recognized through awards from NASA, IDC, and other organizations. The company, which offers a family of gliders and light aircraft with both electric and combustion engines, has delivered more than 2,500 light aircraft worldwide since its founding in 1989 and additionally has both hybrid and electric propulsion models under development. Pipistrel is part of the Textron eAviation segment of Textron Inc. For more information, visit: www.pipistrel-aircraft.com.
About Textron eAviation
Headquartered in Wichita, Kansas, Textron eAviation Inc., part of the Textron eAviation segment of Textron Inc., is focused on sustainable flying, backed by Textron’s 100 years of expertise and the restless spirit for innovation that is embodied in its Pipistrel, Cessna, Beechcraft and Bell brands.
The Textron eAviation business segment also includes Pipistrel, a Slovenian based manufacturer of light aircraft, including the world’s first and currently only, type-certified electric aircraft, and Textron eAviation GmbH, a developer of digital flight controls under the Amazilia Aerospace brand. Taking the lead in Textron’s development of sustainably powered flight, Textron eAviation is leveraging the industry-leading product design, certification, manufacturing, and aftermarket solutions from across Textron’s businesses, coupled with the acquired expertise of Pipistrel and Amazilia Aerospace, to pursue research and development initiatives related to sustainable aviation solutions.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, and Textron Systems. For more information, visit: www.textron.com.
Forward Looking Information Statement
Certain statements in this press release may project revenues or describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters; these forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update them. These statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, changes in aircraft delivery schedules or cancellation or deferral.