Piasecki Aircraft Corporation has unveiled the KARGO II autonomous vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle, an upgraded version of its KARGO UAV acquired from Kaman Air Vehicles in April. The aircraft features payload capacity exceeding 1,500lbs (680kg), representing a two to three-fold increase over the original KARGO UAV’s 500-800lbs (227-363kg) capacity.
The KARGO II incorporates an optimized shaft-driven transmission and larger rotors to deliver improved range, airspeed, and mission flexibility while maintaining the compact form factor of its predecessor. According to Piasecki, the aircraft represents a production-ready configuration developed through spiral development methodology.
The UAV builds on flight testing and demonstration milestones completed by KARGO UAV under U.S. Army and Marine Corps contracts, including autonomous lift operations and advanced flight control system integration. The development addresses Department of Defense and commercial logistics requirements for scalable, uncrewed alternatives in high-risk environments.
John Piasecki, chief executive officer of Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, said the aircraft advances autonomous vertical lift capabilities. “With the launch of this first major development spiral, we’ve created a more capable, scalable solution for autonomous logistics, designed to meet the evolving requirements of defense and commercial customers alike.”
Initial demand for KARGO UAV and KARGO II exceeds 300 vehicles from energy, logistics, disaster response, and remote infrastructure sectors where helicopter operations face cost or logistical constraints. Commercial availability is planned for late 2027, subject to production and certification milestones.
Romin Dasmalchi, director of cargo unmanned aircraft systems programs at Piasecki, said the upgrade responds to operator feedback and mission requirements. “We’ve engineered a platform that offers the range, lift, and reliability that commercial operators and military planners have been asking for.”
The company will manufacture the UAV at its facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, USA. Piasecki plans to announce additional program partners and supply chain contributors in coming months.
The KARGO portfolio represents Piasecki’s expansion into autonomous cargo operations, targeting applications where traditional rotorcraft face operational or economic limitations. The aircraft design enables operations in contested and remote environments for both military and commercial logistics missions.
