DoD's National Security Innovation Capital Awards $1M to Parallel Flight Technologies for Advancing of UAS Capabilities

Under an Other Transaction agreement, Parallel Flight will target milestones to enhance development of its UAS to meet mission critical DoD objectives

LA SELVA BEACH, CA, UNITED STATES, September 27, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC), a program within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the Department of Defense, has awarded a $1M contract to Parallel Flight Technologies (PFT), a California-based heavy-lift drone and hybrid propulsion technology company. This contract will support the advancement and expansion of its Long-Range Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) to address emerging defense and commercial applications.

Parallel Flight is at the forefront of developing its Firefly Hybrid Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), which is poised to address critical mission limitations faced by current UASs. These limitations, including range and lift capacity, hinder existing platform utilization in mission-critical logistic functions. PFT’s proprietary Parallel Hybrid Electric Multirotor (PHEM) architecture offers flight time gains at affordable costs for end users. This contract is the first phase of an anticipated multi-part agreement, which will equip Firefly with a BVLOS (beyond visual line of site) communication system that enables the aircraft to fly autonomously via waypoint for the full extent of its impressive 280-mile range capability, as well as validate the aircrafts TBO (time-between-overhaul) targets.

“We are thrilled to receive this $1 million dollar award to continue development and focus on the advancement of our technology. This is a resounding vote of confidence from NSIC in the application and need of our technology across the Department of Defense,” says Craig Stevens, CEO of Parallel Flight Technologies. “This contract reinforces our commitment to using our proprietary technology to enhance military, public safety and commercial applications”.

The primary market for this advanced prototype within the DoD is blood and medical supply delivery in austere environments. However, once successfully demonstrated in the medical delivery sphere, it is anticipated that the UAS will be quickly adopted for additional military applications with similar payload and range requirements. For commercial use-cases, high demand for PFTs UAS is expected across numerous verticals, including wildfire and land management, powerline, utility/infrastructure, medical/disaster logistics, agriculture, maritime operation and wind-turbine related missions.

Background
Parallel Flight Technologies:
Parallel Flight Technologies is pioneering intelligent hover and vertical-lift with sustainable, autonomous UAV solutions to save lives, property, and the environment. The company’s transformative Parallel Hybrid Electric Multirotor (PHEM) propulsion technology allows UAV platforms to carry heavy payloads for long durations, and can be applied across multiple logistics verticals, including real-time and complex healthcare logistics, tactical support for firefighters and first responders, industrial logistics and other critical-missions, globally. This tech enables >90% carbon footprint reduction, and 50%-75% reduction of operating costs for many applications.
Website: www.parallelflight.com

NSIC:
Housed within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC) is a Department of Defense (DoD) program that provides funding to early-stage hardware startups commercializing dual-use hardware technologies critical to US national security and economic competitiveness. NSIC enables such startups to advance key milestones in their product development plans by addressing the shortfall of private investment from trusted sources.
Website: https://www.nsic.mil/

DISCLAIMERS:
Effort sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction number HQ0845-23-9-2006 between PARALLEL FLIGHT TECHNOLOGIES, INC and the Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon.

The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.

Sarah Abdi
Parallel Flight Technologies
sarah.abdi@parallelflight.com
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