Bell and Yamato Forge Key Partnership
Bell made headlines last month when the technology company’s Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) 70, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, successfully performed its first fully autonomous flight test at Bell’s Fort Worth proving ground.
The milestone is not only a huge achievement for Bell but also a major step forward in the world of logistics – both militarily and commercially – as APT’s capabilities include faster and more efficient package delivery, humanitarian aid and rescue operations, just to name a few. In fact, APT is capable of twice the speed and range of a conventional multirotor, reaching speeds of more than 100 miles per hour while carrying a baseline payload of 70 pounds – up to 35 miles per trip. What’s the secret behind the 315-pound aircraft’s speed? It lies in the way APT flies, switching from vertical to horizontal orientation as it transitions from vertical lift to forward flight. Additionally, the vehicle’s innovative design allows for rapid deployment, quick reconfiguration, and nimble battery swaps and recharges.
Bell is in collaboration with Yamato, a Japanese third-party logistics provider, to integrate Yamato’s package handling system into APT 70, with a goal of providing a next-generation customer experience for on-demand logistics services. Last month’s flight test was conducted in partnership with Yamato, allowing both companies to showcase their systems working together in preparation for entry into service, which is anticipated for launch by the early-2020s.
For more news on the latest eVTOL technology and other advancements in vertical lift, visit our brand-new website at www.VerticalCentury.com.
About Bell
Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 85 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us.
We are pioneers. We were the first to break the sound barrier and to certify a commercial helicopter. We were a part of NASA’s first lunar mission and brought advanced tiltrotor systems to market. Today, we’re defining the future of advanced air mobility.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours.
Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
About Textron
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.
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