Ameriflight to buy Sabrewing’s heavy-lift cargo drones

Leading US Part 135 cargo airline Ameriflight is moving to diversify the business it operates for clients like UPS by supplementing its fleet of traditional aircraft with next-generation heavy-lift drones ­– most recently the brawny UAVs from Oxnard-based startup Sabrewing.

Ameriflight announced it has signed a letter of intent to buy 35 of Sabrewing’s Rhaegal-A heavy-lift cargo drones, which are also being developed under the name “Alpha.” The all-weather UAV has 16 cubic meters of internal payload space. The aerial hulk is capable of carrying over 2,000 lb, and attain maximum speeds of 445 km/h, and average cruise speeds of 333 km/h. It can be operated in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) mode or with forward thrust on a runway.

Last September the beast set what Sabrewing said was a new world record by hovering with a payload of 347 kg (829 lb.). Not satisfied with that hauling capacity, the company is also developing a Rhaegal-B “Bravo”…