By Arie Egozi
Israeli company Gadfin is in negotiations with two large logistic companies in Singapore and Indonesia who plan to use the company’s Spirit VTOL UAV for the delivery of medical supplies in Indonesia and the Philippines. The basic version of the Gadfin Spirit VTOL UAV has a 25 KG MTOW with a range of 250 km. It can carry a payload of up to 5 kgs. Larger versions can carry up to 100 kg of payload. According to company CEO Eyal Regev the UAV can withstand strong side wind and features high level of safety.
The UAV has eight electric motors and four propellers. It is equipped with folding wings that are deployed in vertical flight.
The company has recently won a contract with Enel to perform the aerial inspection of electrical infrastructure. This is based on the UAV’s capability to fly to long range equipped with the needed sensors. This contract has been valued at USD12 million per year.
Gadfin also became the first to receive Israel’s Civil Aviation Authority permit for urban airspace deliveries at the start of 2020 which would enable linking hospitals, laboratories, and diverse organizations and institutions by drones.
The company holds several patents, including “a first of its kind in-flight wing folding and spreading capability, and a game changing improvement in aerodynamic capabilities.”
The company is also currently engaged in the development of a larger aircraft able to carry up to 100kg for an even longer distance. It will enable revolutionizing the distribution of mail bags and packages throughout Israel, reducing delivery time down to several hours, much faster than anywhere else in the world. The company holds local and global collaborations.