Hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer Pipistrel has taken a major step forward in the evolution of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. The company’s Nuuva V300 cargo drone has completed its first hover test.
In a newly released video, the aircraft can be seen defying gravity, hovering steadily in midair for the first time. While much of the eVTOL industry has focused on passenger transport—such as air taxis and personal flying vehicles—the Nuuva V300 is designed for long-range cargo operations. Since Pipistrel’s victory in NASA’s Green Flight Challenge in 2011, the Slovenian company has continued to push the boundaries of hybrid and electric aviation. In 2022, its Velis Electro became the world’s first electric aircraft to receive type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
The Nuuva V300, originally announced in 2020, represents a shift toward practical logistics applications in the eVTOL sector. The autonomous aircraft is designed to transport payloads of up to 600 pounds (272 kg) over distances of 300 nautical miles (556 km), utilizing a hybrid electric and gas powertrain. Cargo is loaded through a lift-up nose and stored in a 100-cubic-foot (2.8-cubic-meter) compartment, allowing for efficient deliveries. The craft operates without a pilot on board but remains under the supervision of a ground-control operator.
Textron eAviation, the company overseeing the Nuuva V300’s command and control systems, expressed excitement over the successful test. “We are thrilled to witness the Nuuva V300’s first flight, a demonstration of our leadership in emerging technology and advanced air mobility, as well as our commitment to multi-purpose aviation solutions,” said Kriya Shortt, Textron eAviation’s President & CEO. Shortt emphasized the aircraft’s potential beyond cargo transport, highlighting its usefulness in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, search and rescue operations, and military logistics.
Pipistrel has confirmed plans to introduce a second Nuuva V300 later this year for additional testing, further advancing the aircraft’s development.
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