Piasecki Aircraft Corporation, based in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, has recently acquired the KARGO UAV program from Kaman Air Vehicles. This acquisition aims to enhance Piasecki's offering in the field of autonomous medium-lift cargo missions through vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The KARGO UAV stands out for its fully autonomous flight capabilities, including features like vertical takeoff and landing, waypoint navigation, and obstacle avoidance, all powered by the Peregrine autonomy suite from Near Earth Autonomy. The system is designed to operate independently in complex environments without GPS or pilot input, with functions like dynamic rerouting and autonomous landing zone selection. Piasecki plans to relocate the development and operations of the KARGO UAV to their Heliplex facility in Coatesville, leveraging their expertise in VTOL systems. With a focus on reducing operator workload and enabling cargo delivery in challenging conditions, the KARGO UAV offers dual-use potential in both defense and commercial sectors. The recent completion of autonomous flight testing using Near Earth Autonomy's technology and the receipt of an initial $12 million award from the Marine Corps' MARV-EL program showcase the program's progress. Piasecki's CEO, John Piasecki, sees this acquisition as aligned with the company's vision for autonomous UAV solutions, expressing confidence in accelerating KARGO's transition to production. Kaman Corporation's President and CEO, Ross Sealfon, believes Piasecki's reputation for innovation and commercialization makes them the ideal partner to bring the KARGO UAV to the market, ensuring the technology thrives.