American company MightyFly, with support from the United States Air Force, has officially unveiled the Cento — a hybrid propulsion cargo drone designed to revolutionize autonomous aerial logistics.
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The model stands out for its innovative combination of a combustion engine and nine electric motors powered by batteries. Eight of these motors handle vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), while one additional electric motor is used for horizontal flight.
The combustion engine acts as a generator during flight, recharging the batteries mid-air and eliminating the need for ground charging stops. This architecture enables Cento to perform multiple consecutive flights, with all the necessary energy supplied by the fuel in the tank.
With a payload capacity of up to 45 kg, Cento performs automated loading and unloading through a specialized cargo compartment. The aircraft can reach speeds of up to 241 km/h, fly at an altitude of 1,500 meters, and travel up to 966 km on a single tank of fuel.
The initiative reinforces the U.S. Air Force’s commitment to high-efficiency autonomous solutions for transporting supplies to remote or hard-to-reach areas, solidifying the country’s position as a leader in cutting-edge military logistics technology.
Source and images: X @mightyflydrone. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
