Uncrewed cargo carrier lifts off in Dubai

Dubai-based Eanan Al Samma has conducted the first test flights of its Rikaz heavy-lift uncrewed cargo aircraft, reports Aviation Week’s Graham Warwick.

Eanan’s Rikaz heavy-lift uncrewed cargo aircraft is being flight-tested in the United Arab Emirates. Image: Eanan Al Samma

Initial flights tested automated flight controls, navigation systems and communications stability.

The Rikaz is a multicopter electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicle with four three-blade propellers mounted on arms. Cargo is carried in a net slung under the center of the open, box-like airframe.

With four propellers, the aircraft is designed to carry a 50-kg (110-lb.) payload 30 km (19 mi.) at 60 kph (37 mph) and be recharged in 15 min. By adding propellers, the payload can be increased to 200 kg.

Founded in 2023 by a group of United Arab Emirates and European executives, Eanan is developing a family of uncrewed aircraft with the goal of entering the urban air mobility market.

In addition to the Rikaz, Eanan is flight-testing a subscale model of the J-500 vertical-takeoff-and-landing uncrewed cargo aircraft developed with Jetoptera and fitted with the U.S. startup’s fluidic propulsion system.

 

 

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