Phenix Solutions has secured two launch customers for its Ultra 2XL heavy-lift unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in both the civil and defense sectors, following the completion of its recent flight testing program, the company has told Vertical.
The Ultra 2XL was originally designed as a firefighting platform, though its potential use cases have expanded to include a range of applications for both civil and defense customers — from cargo and agriculture to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). The aircraft features a Rolls-Royce RR300 engine.
Developed with support from the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime program and the Oregon UAS Accelerator, Phenix Solutions completed a series of flight tests with the Ultra 2XL over the course of summer 2024, including more than 100 safe flights.
In an interview with Vertical after the successful conclusion of the flight tests, Phenix Solutions president and CEO Brian Riese said its launch customer on the civil side would use the aircraft in precision agricultural spraying and in firefighting work.
“They have a fleet of manned aircraft and they’re looking to diversify their aircraft fleet with unmanned aircraft. They recognize the value of the unmanned aircraft system,” he said.
On the defense side, the aircraft will primarily be used for activities related to logistics in a contested environment, he said. There is also an international customer, Riese said, though further details were not available at the time of writing in September 2024 due to business confidentiality. Riese said the company expects to begin deliveries in late 2025 or early 2026.
Riese, who served in the U.S. Army for about 30 years, initially took the concept to the Department of Defense. Having developed a small-scale demonstrator, Phenix Solutions scaled up the system through Agility Prime, working on sub-component testing, flight testing and other areas throughout 2023.
The Ultra 2XL was revealed at HAI Heli-Expo (now Verticon) in February 2024, before testing took place at the Pendleton UAS Test Range in Oregon. These tests were conducted using a digital fly-by-wire system, with a pilot using a hand controller to fly the aircraft. However, the tests also enabled Phenix Solutions to enhanced the system’s automated flight controls, which Riese expects to be a growing focus in the coming years, much like the focus on driverless cars in the automobile space.
The company has since conducted a series of maintenance inspections on the aircraft following the tests, with plans now to conduct further testing and “fill out the flight profile,” Riese explained.
The company is now working with its launch clients, suppliers and vendors to prepare for full production. Riese said Phenix Solutions has worked with the Air Force on implementing agile manufacturing techniques. “We’re ready to meet the significant demand that’s out there,” he said.
