Firefly UAS Development Progresses with NSIC Backing

The National Security Innovation Capital (NSIC), a component program within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), has awarded a follow-on contract to Parallel Flight Technologies (PFT), a California-based heavy-lift drone and hybrid propulsion technology company. 

This award continues support and backing for the operational testing of the Firefly UAS, in advance of its targeted commercial deployment to the DoD and private sectors.

Parallel Flight has developed Firefly, a Hybrid unmanned aircraft system (UAS), to exponentially improve range and payload capacities of currently available UAS. 

Leveraging PFT’s patented Parallel Hybrid Electric Multirotor (PHEM) architecture, Firefly overcomes the technology gap that poses critical mission limitations for emerging defense and commercial applications.

This award is the second phase of a multi-part agreement, in which an additional $2M in funding will be allocated to a series of milestones aimed at enhancing Firefly’s capabilities and proving its reliability. 

Specifically, funding will support verification of the performance envelope to confirm the aircraft’s operational limits and metrics in diverse conditions; build of additional aircraft; and DOD customer demonstrations, showcasing Firefly’s versatility and potential for defense applications.

Craig Stevens, CEO of Parallel Flight Technologies, commented, “This follow-on funding from the National Security Innovation Capital is a testament to the confidence in Firefly’s potential to improve operational ranges of existing UASs, We are excited to continue working with DIU and NSIC in a collaborative fashion to meet the needs of the commercial and defense sectors.”

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