The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have been searching for an autonomous aircraft suitable for missions on the battlefield. While some designs have been proposed by Israeli companies, they have not met the operational demands. The AirMule exhibits basic capabilities but requires further development.
AirMule is a fully autonomous VTOL UAV designed for military applications. Its primary military missions will include cargo delivery, casualty evacuation (CasEvac), and maritime missions.
Air Mule is specifically designed to carry out battlefield missions where other types of manned aircraft are less compatible. It will have the capacity to transport payloads of up to 500 kilograms (1,100 lbs) over distances of 50 kilometers.
The AirMule prototype is powered by the Ariel-2 engine. The prototype currently employs a ducted fan design. However, according to Eran Ron, CEO of Urban Aeronautics, a top motor design will be tested in the future. Ron suggests that this design maintains the small footprint of the AirMule, a crucial feature of the platform’s design.
