Improving logistic supply chains requires technology infusion through all intra-supply chain components. While freight carriers play a critical role, significant investments are aimed at automating key nodes within the supply chain, such as autonomy used to enable efficient, effective and safe operations, including stores, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities. It is imperative that these developments are integrated with intermodal transportation, with the goal of reducing dependency on land vehicles through increased utilization of air transport. This impacts air vehicle design by requiring VTOL operations very near shipper, warehouse, and destination sites, or ideally, on-site at operational capabilities at all locations. This approach eliminates land transport. However, the challenge is to reduce freight detention which means all freight touch points in the supply chain but communicate in real-time with VTOL aircraft to result in “Just-in-Time” logistics.

Before the NextGen VTOL is built, there are critical technologies and processes that need to mature. These initiatives include the likes of Maintenance Free Operating Period (MFOP), Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV0, and Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), all of which can be validated in Freight Hawk operations.

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