US Naval Components Test Skyways-Developed Blue Water Logistics UAS

Various military units worked with unmanned aerial system specialists from Skyways to test the Blue Water Logistics UAS.

The tests, held on June 11 and 12, involved two drones that performed five test flights off the coast of North Carolina. Three of the tests demonstrated Blue Water’s ability to deliver parts autonomously from the USNS Patuxent replenishment oiler to Marines operating in an expeditionary environment ashore while the other flights delivered cargo from land to the oiler and tested new technologies and capabilities.

A team comprised of members of the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s Rapid Prototyping and Experimentation Division, NAWCAD UX-24 Unmanned Test Squadron, U.S. Marine Corps, Military Sealift Command and USNS Patuxent participated in the test, DVIDS reported.

Skyways, the manufacturer of the Blue Water Logistics UAS, produces three versions of its cargo drones. V2.2 is an all-electric platform with a maximum range of 65 miles and a maximum payload of 20 lbs. V2.5 and V2.6 are hybrid-electric drones that can carry 25 lbs of cargo and fly up to 500 miles.

Skyways’ drones are designed for ship-to-shore and shore-to-ship cargo delivery and offshore resupply operations.