KARGO II: New VTOL drone can deliver 1,500 pounds of military goods

Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, a Pennsylvania-based firm, has introduced the KARGO II, an advanced vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone capable of autonomously delivering over 1,500 pounds (680 kilograms) of military cargo in a single flight. This payload capacity doubles that of its predecessor, the KARGO UAV, which could carry between 500 to 800 pounds. Designed for both military and commercial applications, KARGO II offers enhanced range, airspeed, and mission flexibility, enabling operations in contested and remote environments. It can deliver payloads with high precision using various methods, including hard-mounted pods like the Joint Modular Intermodal Container (JMIC), aerial delivery, or external long line, and can be deployed rapidly from a standard 20-foot cargo container. The drone incorporates a new optimized shaft-driven transmission and larger rotors to support its improved performance. Developed through a spiral approach building on successful flight tests and demonstrations under U.S. Army and Marine Corps contracts, KARGO