Questions and answers:
- What is AIRO’s new cargo drone designed to do? AIRO’s medium-lift cargo drone is designed to carry 250 to 500 pounds over distances greater than 200 miles, offering a low-emission alternative for middle-mile freight transport.
- What technology does the drone use? The aircraft uses Jaunt Air Mobility’s Slowed-Rotor Compound (SRC) technology, which enables vertical takeoff like a helicopter and efficient cruising like a fixed-wing plane.
- What kinds of missions will the drone support? The drone is intended to serve both rural and urban logistics needs, including delivery of medical supplies and essential goods to remote communities.
OSHKOSH, Wis. - AIRO Inc. in Albuquerque, N.M., announced the development of a new medium-lift cargo drone and the expansion of its advanced air mobility operations into the YMX Innovation Zone in Mirabel, Quebec, during EAA AirVenture 2025 in Oshkosh, Wis. The project is being led by Jaunt Air Mobility, AIRO’s electric air mobility segment, and its Canadian subsidiary.
The drone is designed to carry between 250 and 500 pounds over distances greater than 200 miles, targeting the middle-mile logistics market. It aims to offer a lower-emission alternative to traditional freight transportation like box trucks and tractor-trailers.
The aircraft uses Jaunt’s proprietary Slowed-Rotor Compound (SRC) technology, which combines vertical takeoff like a helicopter with the cruising efficiency of a fixed-wing airplane. AIRO said the technology improves safety and performance in the growing advanced air mobility (AAM) sector.
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AIRO is also developing a modular ground control system and advancing Command and Control (C2) capabilities with support for cellular and satellite communications. The aircraft will support beyond visual line-of-sight operations through dual-redundant data links, pending regulatory approvals.
Urban and rural use
Martin Peryea, senior vice president of AIRO and general manager of Jaunt, said the drone was designed to serve both rural and urban communities. "Our work on the CORRIDAIR Project with our partner Vertiko Mobilité demonstrated the transformative potential of this technology, especially for First Nation communities in rural Quebec," Peryea said.
Jaunt’s presence at YMX will strengthen its ties with Vertiko Mobilité and benefit from support from Aéroports de Montréal. The YMX Innovation Zone provides access to regulatory, research, and infrastructure support designed to accelerate the certification and deployment of new air mobility platforms.
"This cargo drone represents a strategic milestone to deliver advanced air mobility solutions to customers sooner while building the foundation for potential future mixed-use and passenger services," said AIRO CEO Capt. Joe Burns.
Dr. Chirinjeev Kathuria, AIRO’s executive chairman, said the platform reflects the convergence of the company’s work across unmanned systems and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. "Our expansion into the YMX Innovation Zone accelerates this vision, enabling real-world testing and regulatory alignment in one of the world’s most forward-thinking aerospace environments," he said.
Jamie Whitney
Jamie Whitney joined the staff of Military & Aerospace Electronics and Intelligent Aerospace. He brings seven years of print newspaper experience to the aerospace and defense electronics industry.
Whitney oversees editorial content for the Intelligent Aerospace Website, as well as produce news and features for Military & Aerospace Electronics, attend industry events, produce Webcasts, oversee print production of Military & Aerospace Electronics, and expand the Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics franchises with new and innovative content.
