Natilus has selected Pratt & Whitney Canada to supply the engines for the first of the Natilus family fleet: the N3.8T. The company is initially producing the N3.8T as a prototype and as long-term short-haul air cargo feeder. The first N3.8T aircraft is under production and is scheduled to fly in 2024.

“Natilus has designed and developed a blended-wing autonomous aircraft that can offer services at a fraction of the cost of today's transport, while reducing negative impacts on our environment. We wanted to select an engine supplier that shares our vision of innovation, safety and efficiency. Pratt & Whitney Canada is recognized and respected for their worldwide support of customers, while the PT6A engine is the benchmark in reliability and has an unmatched history of performance with low TBO (Time between Overhauls),” say Aleksey Matyushev, Natilus co-founder and ceo.

“Pratt & Whitney has a long-standing commitment to supporting innovation for sustainable aviation, and so we are pleased that Natilus has recognized the capabilities of the PT6 engine family to increase efficiencies in the air cargo transport industry while reducing carbon emissions,” adds Nicholas Kanellias, vp general aviation, Pratt & Whitney Canada. “The selection of the PT6A-67D to power Natilus' innovative cargo aircraft further asserts the dependability, versatility and flexibility of the PT6 turboprop engine family, the world's most popular engine in its class.”

Natilus hopes to revolutionise the air transport industry by providing the timeliness of air freight at an affordable cost reduction of 60% to increase the competitiveness of the air cargo market.