LONDON - Yates Electrospace Corporation (YEC) announced the unveiling of the Silent Arrow GD-2000 cargo delivery drone at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) show in London.
Silent Arrow is a production-ready, 1-ton, autonomous cargo aircraft, which delivers up to 1,631 pounds (740 kg) of supplies, wich YEC says can be done at less than half the cost of JPADS with more than double the glide ratio, improved landing accuracy, zero vertical impact force and with greater stealth as it completes military logistics missions.
YEC said that the Silent Arrow weighs in at 2,000lbs (907 kg) gross, with a cargo volume of 26cu/ft (0.75 cu/m). With a 28-foot wingspan, the UAV has a glide ratio of 8.4:1.
YEC has so far established distribution agreements in 34 territories including the European Union, the UK, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, Israel, Brazil and India. As a key member of YEC's growing worldwide network, The MEL Group holds exclusive UK manufacturing and distribution rights for Silent Arrow, with sales and service available for all EU countries and begins production of Silent Arrow in accordance with AS9100 in October.
Designed for military logistical support, Silent Arrow's tightly integrated packaging with spring-deployed wings transported inside the fuselage, high standoff distance and low cost have led to expanded military contracts with the U.S. and allied foreign government Special Operators (Marines, Army and Air Force), as well as aerospace & defense companies. Silent Arrow is designed for fixed-wing and rotorcraft deployment of critically needed supplies, cargo and fuel under austere operating conditions and timelines.
In support of these contracts, YEC has led an ongoing flight test program since 2017, in military airspace (undisclosed) and civilian airspace (Pendleton UAS Test Range, Pendleton Oregon) with rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft ranging from light Bell helicopters, up to the UH-1H "Huey", and the C-130 with deployment altitudes from as low as 1,500 feet AGL up to 25,000 feet MSL.
