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UPS Seeks FAA Approval to Enhance Drone Delivery with Horsefly

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Workhorse Group Inc., the American technology company at the forefront of the transition to zero-emission commercial vehicles, has announced substantial progress in its Workhorse Aero drone business.

CEO Rick Dauch expressed the significance of their advancements, highlighting the strength of Workhorse’s technology, systems, and team. He emphasized their commitment to sustainable and efficient last-mile delivery solutions.

Workhorse Aero, led by President John Graber, is actively developing safe, dependable drones with scalable capabilities. The team has conducted extensive testing, flying thousands of tests over hundreds of hours using various aircraft in their fleet, establishing the reliability and potential of their systems.

Workhorse has initiated the process of securing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval to include their WA4-100, also known as Horsefly, on UPS Flight Forward’s (UPSFF) FAA Part 135 “drone airline” certificate. Workhorse Aero is collaborating closely with UPSFF and the FAA with the aim of having Horsefly approved for FAA Part 135 operations by the end of 2023.

This move represents a productive collaboration between Workhorse and UPS Flight Forward, as both companies join forces to introduce safe and capable drone delivery systems to the market. Workhorse Aero has already trained UPSFF personnel to operate and maintain their drones, and UPSFF professionals have successfully completed hundreds of missions using Workhorse Aero aircraft.

To obtain FAA approval for Horsefly’s operations under UPSFF’s Part 135 certificate, Workhorse must successfully complete an extensive and rigorous flight test program. This program entails hundreds of hours of testing across multiple flight tests using a fleet of aircraft.

John Graber commented on the collaboration, expressing pleasure that UPS Flight Forward recognizes the safety and reliability of Horsefly drones. He also expressed enthusiasm for taking the next steps in their partnership and pledged to work closely with UPSFF and the FAA to complete the necessary flight tests on schedule.

In recent weeks, Workhorse Aero has secured two additional grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for farmland scanning, amounting to approximately $1.1 million in extra funding. These grants, which support agriculturally-based applications, bring the total received from the USDA for sensor scanning work this year to over $2 million.

John Graber concluded by highlighting the significant growth opportunities that Workhorse Aero continues to see in agricultural markets. Government agencies and their partners rely on their drones to capture essential data, driving their work forward efficiently.

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