PteroDynamics, an innovator in autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems, and AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a leading provider of Electronic Warfare (EW) capabilities, recently collaborated for a joint technology demonstration at Silent Swarm 25, hosted by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Michigan. The companies integrated multiple industry-leading EW sensors from AV on the PteroDynamics P4 Transwing^® autonomous VTOL unmanned aircraft system (UAS), highlighting a spectrum of maneuver capabilities available to warfighters with the combined capabilities.

Equipped with AV’s EW capabilities, the autonomous Transwing VTOL aircraft successfully completed three scenarios in operationally relevant, multi-domain environments–observing, detecting, and effecting various representative threats throughout the theater to inform future U.S. Navy operations for littoral surveillance.

“PteroDynamics’ Transwing VTOL UAS with AV’s EW payloads demonstrated important new capabilities in a realistic and challenging operational environment,” said Tim Whitehand, PteroDynamics vice president of engineering. “We are excited to have worked closely with AV to equip the Transwing with these innovative EW capabilities. The Transwing’s compact footprint, rapid and disturbance-resilient transition, and highly efficient wing-borne flight enable operations from confined or remote locations without runways, making it an ideal platform for maritime littoral operations.”      “Our open, interoperable EW systems are strategically engineered to reduce payload integration timelines for airborne, maritime, and ground ISR platforms, helping us meet unique mission needs with speed and scale,” said Conrad Smith, General Manager of Electronic Warfare Systems at AV. “By participating in events, like Silent Swarm 25, and innovating alongside other industry leaders, like PteroDynamics, we are expanding mission-critical capabilities for the U.S. Navy.”

AV delivers open-architecture EW chassis and sensors to support mission planning and awareness. These tactical solutions are designed and developed for a full spectrum of readiness capabilities, keeping warfighters ahead of global threats with actionable intelligence at the mission’s edge.

PteroDynamics’ Group 3 Transwing platform offers the speed, range, and endurance of fixed-wing systems with superior VTOL performance in a simple, highly efficient autonomous platform. The aircraft unfolds its wings to transition smoothly and quickly between vertical and horizontal flight. It delivers superior VTOL stability and gust tolerance, requires no launch and recovery infrastructure, and occupies one-third or less ground footprint than other VTOL aircraft with a comparable wingspan –   an ideal platform for multi-mission payloads.

During Silent Swarm 25, the Transwing flew from confined launch and recovery zones along the tree line on the shore of Lake Huron, showcasing its inherent expeditionary capabilities and operating envelope, which is unconstrained by wind direction. The team also took advantage of the Transwing’s modular architecture to integrate, and flight test the AV EW payload in a single day.

Transwing Receives FAA Airworthiness Certificate        

PteroDynamics received a Special Airworthiness Certificate–Experimental Category (SAC-EC) from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the P4 Transwing UAS to conduct research and development flights in national airspace near Alpena, Michigan during Silent Swarm 25. Prior U.S. Navy demonstrations were at sea, including those at RIMPAC 2024 and the 2023 Hybrid Fleet Campaign Event.   

The SAC-EC allowed PteroDynamics, for the first time, to fly the 89 lb aircraft with an airworthiness certificate in U.S. airspace. The certification review and approval process took over seven months and demonstrated to regulators the maturity and safety of the Transwing and the trust the FAA has in PteroDynamics’ aircraft and processes.