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Aviation / Aerospace

Natilus N3.8T


Unmanned Autonomous Commercial Cargo Transport [ 2025 ]



The unmanned, autonomous Natilus N3.8T and its related air vehicles are set to revolutionize the forward freight air market.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/17/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
San Diego-based start-up Natilus is envisioning a global freight forward revolution with its incoming family of unmanned autonomous cargo haulers. The group is led by the prop-driven, short-to-medium-ranged N3.8T which involves a family of air vehicles set to include the longer-ranged, jet-powered N.60T, the N.100T, and the N.130T, the collection covering domestic routes out to intercontinental voyages. The program goal is to provide the evolving aerial freight market with unmanned aircraft capable of greater payloads and operating ranges than what is currently seen with traditional airliners.

A first-flight for the N3.8T prototype is planned for some time in 2023.

The aircraft will be developed with existing logistics infrastructure in mind. A Ground Control Station (GCS) will allow a single operator to control up to three of these aircraft for maximum efficiency with software used to reduce overall operator workloads. The user's station will be connected via cloud to communicating through SATellite COMmunications (SATCOM) to the air vehicles proper, resulting in reduced reliance on traditional pilots in the workflow.

As drawn up, the N3.8T sports a futuristic appearance with elegant streamlining and a clean wing-body blended design. The broad surface fuselage is relatively flat to provide extensive internal volume (up to 60% more compared to traditional airliners) for cargo. The mainplanes will be seated well-aft of midships with straight edges and clipped tips. Vertical fins will be positioned over the twin engine nacelles, the powerplants positioned at the extreme end of the fuselage. Each engine is set to drive a four- or -five-bladed propeller unit in "pusher" configuration (facing aft). An oversized access door at fuselage port side will allow for easy entry-exit of goods. Ground-running will be handled by a conventional tricycle (retractable) wheeled undercarriage. Internally, the vast patent-pending "Diamond" cargo hold will support both bulk and container types.

Natilus has teamed up with Collins Aerospace for development of a new cargo-loading system to be featured in the N3.8T hauler.

As the design stands today, the vehicle will have a payload limit of 4.3 metric tons, feature an operational range of 900 nautical miles, and cruise at speeds of 220 knots. A Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 19,000lb is estimated, this against an empty weight rating of 9,500 lb. The aircraft will carry 620 lb of fuel.©MilitaryFactory.com
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March 2022 - Natilus has begun construction of the tail units to be used in the N3.8T prototype.

Specifications



Natilus - USA
Manufacturer(s)
United States (possible)
Operators National flag of the United States
2025
Service Year
United States
National Origin
In-Development
Project Status
0
(UNMANNED)
Crew
1
Units


TRANSPORT
General transport functionality to move supplies/cargo or personnel (including wounded and VIP) over range.


MULTI-ENGINE
Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.
WING SWEEPBACK
Mainplanes, or leading edges, features swept-back lines for enhanced high-speed performance and handling.
INTERNAL BAY
Fuselage volume includes space for internally-held weapons or special-mission equipment.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.
EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.
MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.
RETRACTABLE UNDERCARRIAGE
Features retracting / retractable undercarriage to preserve aerodynamic efficiency.
ENHANCED ACCESS
Design incorporates feature(s) that facilitates loading / unloading of cargo / personnel from the aircraft.
UNMANNED OPERATION
Design features ability to fly sans pilot, actions controlled onboard through programming and / or ground-based operator.
AUTONOMOUS OPERATION
Design features autonomous flight operations made possible through onboard artificial intelligence or pre-programming.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.


9,502 lb
(4,310 kilograms)
Empty Weight
19,004 lb
(8,620 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight
+9,502 lb
(+4,310 kg)
Weight Difference
monoplane / mid-mounted / straight
Mainplane Arrangement
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represents the most popular modern mainplane arrangement.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.


2 x Engines driving multi-blade propeller units in pusher arrangement.
Propulsion
295 mph
(475 kph | 256 knots)
Max Speed
252 mph
(405 kph | 219 knots)
Cruise Speed
+43 mph
(+70 kph | 38 knots)
Speed Difference
1,035 miles
(1,665 km | 899 nm)
Range


MACH Regime (Sonic)
Sub
Trans
Super
Hyper
HiHyper
ReEntry
RANGES (MPH) Subsonic: <614mph | Transonic: 614-921 | Supersonic: 921-3836 | Hypersonic: 3836-7673 | Hi-Hypersonic: 7673-19180 | Reentry: >19030


None.


N3.8T - Base Series Designation.


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Images



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Image of the Natilus N3.8T
Image from official Natilus marketing materials.

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