Rivalta di Torino (Italy), Sept 08, 2015 – Avio Aero has become an official member of PUCA - Platform for Unmanned Cargo Aircraft, a European working group set up in 2011 with the aim of facilitating the definition of requirements for, and the development of, the next generation of Unmanned Cargo Aircraft, and letting its members play a meaningful and profitable role in this development.
PUCA brings together all stakeholders and interested parties to create the environment, competencies and expertise necessary to promote the development of future Unmanned Cargo Aircraft. It has more than 50 members, mainly European, representing all potential stakeholders, namely Industry, End Users (forwarders), Government agencies, Universities and Research Centers, and Consulting firms.
Cargo is likely to be the first large-scale application of unmanned aircraft for commercial operations. Unmanned Cargo Aircraft are potentially more efficient than traditional manned aircraft for a number of applications, and have the potential to reshape the cargo market.
For Avio Aero this represents another step in expanding its presence in the UAV market segment.
“Taking part in PUCA is a good opportunity for Avio Aero to stay connected with all players and stakeholders with an interest in unmanned cargo aircraft - said Paolo Salvetti, Vice President Sales Advanced Systems & UAV of Avio Aero. We can contribute to the platform by leading the work on the propulsion system, which on an unmanned cargo aircraft plays a critical role in terms of both economics and safety”.
“We are delighted to welcome Avio Aero as a member - Dr. Hans Heerkens, chairman of PUCA and assistant professor at the University of Twente in the Netherlands, commented. Propulsion technology has always been critical in creating safer and more efficient aircraft. Unmanned cargo aircraft can utilize entirely new technologies and configurations. We see a crucial contribution of Avio Aero in optimizing the propulsion system and integrating it in innovative ways with the airframe and other subsystems of future unmanned cargo aircraft”.
ABOUT Avio Aero
Avio Aero is a GE Aviation business working on the design, production and maintenance of components and systems for the civil and military aviation industry. Avio Aero is the centre of excellence for General Electric in the field of mechanical transmissions and low pressure turbines. In Italy Avio Aero employs 4,000 people at its headquarters in Turin, where its main plant is also located, as well as in Pomigliano d’Arco (Naples) and Brindisi. Abroad, it owns a production plant in Poland. Avio Aero’s origins date back to 1908 and for more than a century the company has led the way in numerous technological challenges. Its ongoing investments in research and development combined with a solid working relationship with leading international universities and research centers has enabled Avio Aero to develop globally recognized technological and manufacturing excellence, an achievement demonstrated by partnerships with the leading world operators in the aviation industry.