An Israeli aviation startup is positioning its autonomous cargo aircraft as a potential solution for high-risk military logistics, including operations in volatile zones such as the Strait of Hormuz.
The system, developed by AIR, is not a conventional drone but an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL) designed for cargo transport. Known as the Air Cargo platform, it can carry up to 250 kilograms (550 pounds), placing it among the highest-capacity autonomous logistics aircraft currently in development.
AIR's eVTOL Air Cargo
(Video: AIR)
The aircraft completed its maiden flight earlier this month, marking a key milestone as the company moves toward operational deployment. A defense customer has already purchased a unit for about $1 million, and additional systems are expected to be sent to the United States for certification and military evaluation.
AIR is in discussions with multiple branches of the U.S. military, including the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, as it seeks to position the aircraft for logistics missions that currently rely on helicopters.
“In areas like the Strait of Hormuz, there are dozens of ships and constant logistics between them, mostly carried out by helicopters,” said CEO and co-founder Rani Plaut. “These are complex and dangerous operations. Our system is designed to perform them autonomously, without putting human lives at risk.”
One of the key use cases under consideration is ship-to-ship resupply, a task that involves landing on moving vessels at sea, one of the most hazardous helicopter operations.
Unlike traditional drones, the Air Cargo platform is built as a fixed-wing eVTOL aircraft. It takes off and lands vertically, eliminating the need for a runway, and then transitions to forward flight for efficiency and range. Its autonomous navigation system allows operators to define a mission while the aircraft executes it independently.
The platform also offers a significant economic advantage. While military helicopters can cost tens of millions of dollars, the Air Cargo system is priced at around $1 million per unit, with substantially lower operating costs.
“It’s a work platform, not a strategic asset,” Plaut said. “If one is lost, it’s not a major event, and no personnel are put at risk.”
The cargo aircraft builds on AIR’s broader aviation platform, which includes the AIR ONE, a two-seat electric eVTOL designed for personal use. The company has secured more than $1 billion in orders for the aircraft, with roughly 3,300 customers on a waiting list.
The AIR ONE has a range of about 160 kilometers (99 miles) and a top speed of up to 250 kilometers per hour (155 mph). It is expected to enter the market following certification by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which the company anticipates later this year.
While the civilian eVTOL market continues to face regulatory hurdles, AIR is already generating revenue from its cargo segment. The company has sold more than 25 Air Cargo units and delivered its first systems, with additional deliveries planned in the coming months.
Founded in 2018 by Chen Rosen, Rani Plaut and Netanel Goldberg, AIR has raised about $30 million to date, including a $23 million funding round led by Entrée Capital. It employs around 70 people across Israel and the United States, with production facilities in Kfar Yona and operations in Florida.
The company is now scaling production using automotive-style manufacturing processes, aiming for volumes far beyond traditional aerospace output.
Globally, the market for autonomous cargo aircraft is expanding rapidly, as militaries and commercial operators seek alternatives to costly and manpower-intensive aviation platforms. Most existing systems carry limited payloads, but newer heavy-lift designs, including AIR’s, are pushing into higher-capacity logistics roles.
Despite long-term ambitions in civilian air mobility, AIR sees defense applications as its immediate growth engine.
“Our goal is to make air mobility accessible and routine,” Plaut said. “But right now, the biggest demand is where the need is most urgent, and that’s in defense and logistics.”