Textron Systems Aerosonde UAS Flies First

Textron Systems' Aerosonde UAS completed the first UAS flight in commercial airspace using vertiports for both takeoff and landing. The demonstration supports Virginia's Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program, a research initiative exploring the infrastructure for next generation air transportation systems.

Textron Systems collaborated with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) for the flight. Sara Willett, Vice President of Uncrewed Air and Land Systems at Textron Systems, commented on the collaboration with Virginia Tech and the program's broader goals for integrating unmanned systems into the national airspace.

Technical details of the vertiport-to-vertiport transit

The Aerosonde Mk 4.7 VTOL UAS launched from a vertiport at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in Blacksburg. It flew nearly 150 nautical miles to a vertiport at Textron Systems' Aerosonde Center of Excellence in Blackstone.

The transit through commercial airspace lasted approximately two and a half hours. The aircraft is specifically designed for both vertical take-off and landing and efficient fixed-wing flight.

Aerosonde capabilities and mission flexibility

The Aerosonde UAS platform offers both VTOL and fixed-wing configurations. It provides reliable aerial monitoring and critical data collection for a wide range of missions.

With over 40 payload options, the system supports intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and electronic warfare operations. It is designed for both land-and-sea-based operations locally and across the globe.

The Aerosonde fleet has amassed more than 750,000 flight hours. The VTOL configuration allows operation from locations with limited or no runway infrastructure, such as vertiports.

Infrastructure and program support

The flight was conducted under the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program. MAAP, one of seven FAA-designated UAS test sites, leads this program which launched in March 2025.

The mission endpoint was the 38,000 sq. Ft. Aerosonde Center of Excellence in Blackstone. This facility serves as Textron Systems’ global logistics and training hub for the Aerosonde family of aircraft.

The Center supports assembly, testing, and training, both in the classroom and on the flight line. It is the focal point for ongoing work to advance the causey unmanned air system operations within regulated airspace.