Textron Systems’ Aerosonde® UAS Completes First UAS Vertiport Flights In Commercial Airspace In Support Of The Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace

• Textron Systems’ Aerosonde^® UAS completed the first UAS flight in commercial airspace utilizing vertiports at takeoff and landing.
• Textron Systems collaborated with the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to support the Virginia Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program. 

Textron Systems Corporation, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, announced today that it participated in a demonstration collaborating with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) at Virginia Tech supporting the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program, becoming the first uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to fly in commercial airspace utilizing two vertiports. MAAP is one of seven Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-designated unmanned aerial systems (UAS) test sites. MAAP was charged with leading the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program when it launched in March 2025.The Aerosonde^® UAS launched from a vertiport at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute located in Blacksburg, VA and flew through commercial airspace nearly 150 nautical miles, landing at a vertiport located at Textron Systems’ Aerosonde Center of Excellence in Blackstone, VA. This demonstration supports the program’s mission to research advanced air mobility (AAM) aircraft in the local region through the utilization of vertiports.

The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS transited two and a half hours, completing its flight at the Aerosonde Center of Excellence ― Textron Systems’ global logistics and training hub for the Aerosonde family of aircraft. At 38,000 sq. ft, the Center of Excellence supports assembly, testing and training, both in the classroom and on the flight line.

“We are excited to collaborate with Virginia Tech in supporting the aviation and local communities through this opportunity with the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program,” commented Vice President, Uncrewed Air and Land Systems Sara Willett. “The Aerosonde UAS’ ability to provide reliable aerial monitoring and critical data collection makes it an ideal platform for helping develop the smart airspace technologies that will enable the future of advanced air mobility.”

Designed for both land-and-sea-based operations, Textron Systems’ Aerosonde UAS has amassed more than 750,000 hours supporting missions ranging from intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) to electronic warfare. With over 40 payload options and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and fixed-wing configurations, the Aerosonde UAS offers the versatility to support missions both locally and across the globe.

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