FutureFlight
Sabrewing's Rhaegal Uncrewed Cargo Aircraft Makes First Flight with Improved Propulsion System
The first RH-1-B production aircraft is now expected to be delivered in December 2023, with the first customer set to be the UN's World Food/World Health program.
Sabrewing is using the RH-1-A sub-scale prototype to develop the larger Rhaegal B uncrewed cargo aircraft.
Sabrewing is using the RH-1-A sub-scale prototype to develop the larger Rhaegal B uncrewed cargo aircraft. (Image: Sabrewing Aircraft Company)

Sabrewing Aircraft Company this week achieved a first hover flight with its RH-1-A Rhaegal VTOL uncrewed cargo aircraft. The preproduction prototype took off carrying an 829-pound payload (374 kg), which the California-based start-up claimed to be a new “deadlift” record for any commercial, vertical takeoff uncrewed air vehicle (UAV).

Since introducing the RH-1-A Rhaegal in 2020, Sabrewing has improved the propulsion system's ducted fans to boost thrust by 30 percent compared with the original design. Development work with the RH-1-A is preparing the way for the larger, higher-capacity RH-1-B production aircraft.