- The Chaparral will carry 300–500 pounds (136 to 226kg) of
cargo over a 300-mile (482 km) range with its hybrid-electric
powertrain and simple, redundant vertical and forward-flight
propulsors
- Bristow will leverage its 70+ years of aviation expertise to
move time-sensitive cargo for logistics, healthcare and energy
applications
- Elroy Air expects to deliver 100 autonomous-flight Chaparral
VTOL aircraft to Bristow
SAN
FRANCISCO and HOUSTON, July 13,
2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Bristow Group Inc. (NYSE: VTOL),
the world's leading global provider of innovative and sustainable
vertical flight solutions, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with
Elroy Air to pre-order 100 Chaparral hybrid-electric cargo VTOL
aircraft.
The Chaparral will be the first of its kind vertical take-off
and landing (VTOL) aircraft dedicated to cargo movement to be
introduced into Bristow's aircraft fleet. Bristow plans to use the
Chaparral to serve logistics, healthcare, and energy applications.
Additionally, the Chaparral provides a solution to challenges
helicopter operators are facing across the world, including
reducing emissions by introducing hybrid-electric powertrain and
helping offset the pilot shortage by introducing autonomous
aircraft for cargo operations.
"Leveraging our expertise as both a helicopter and Unmanned
Aircraft System (UAS) operator, we plan to use the Elroy Air
Chaparral aircraft to fill an increasing demand for the movement of
time-sensitive cargo for logistics, health care and energy
applications," said Bristow Executive Vice President and Chief
Transformation Officer Dave
Stepanek. "Bristow has 70+ years of experience moving people
and cargo. We expect to leverage that experience to usher in a new
era of vertical lift operations and meet the express shipping cargo
needs in cities and regions without relying on existing or new
airport infrastructure."
The first production version of the Chaparral will carry 300–500
pounds (136 to 226kg) of cargo over a 300-mile (482 km) range with
its hybrid-electric powertrain and simple, redundant vertical and
forward-flight propulsors. Goods are loaded into an underslung pod
that latches to the fuselage and can autonomously be picked up and
dropped off in a 50-foot landing square.
The Chaparral is the flying part of an integrated,
high-throughput autonomous aerial logistics system. The vehicle can
land, deposit cargo, pick up another load, and take-off again, all
in just a few minutes and without operator interaction. Although
operated autonomously, the Chaparral can also be remotely piloted
to comply with civil aviation authorities and airspace integration
policy.
"The response and excitement around the Chaparral and problems
it can address have been amazing over these last few months since
we unveiled the aircraft. The Chaparral was built for the
challenges we're facing today. Demand for rapid logistics is
outpacing today's infrastructure," said Elroy Air's VP of Business
Development and Strategy, Kofi
Asante. "The Chaparral creates a 'fast-lane' for middle-mile
logistics to an unprecedented range of locations that can serve
remote, rural areas and can fly over rough terrain. We're proud to
work with the global leader in vertical flight solutions to create
the future of express logistics."
To date, Elroy Air has secured agreements to supply 900 aircraft
to commercial, defence and humanitarian customers. The LOI is
expected to be replaced with a separate purchase agreement.
The Chaparral features distributed electric propulsion, with
eight vertical lift rotors, four forward propellers for cruise
flight, a high-wing airframe configuration, as well as automated
ground autonomy and cargo-handling systems. Its airframe is
fabricated using carbon composite materials.
Forward-Looking Statements
Disclosure
This press release contains "forward-looking statements."
Forward-looking statements represent Bristow Group Inc.'s (the
"Company") current expectations or forecasts of future events.
Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use
of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect,"
"intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "project," or
"continue," or other similar words. These statements are made under
the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995, reflect management's current views with respect
to future events and therefore are subject to significant risks and
uncertainties, both known and unknown. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, such forward-looking statements
include statements regarding the capabilities, development,
certification, marketing, and future operations of Elroy Air's
hybrid-electric aircraft, the Company's purchase of aircraft from
Elroy Air, and the anticipated benefits of the collaboration
between the Company and Elroy Air. The Company's actual results may
vary materially from those anticipated in forward-looking
statements. The Company cautions investors not to place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the
document in which they are made. The Company disclaims any
obligation or undertaking to provide any updates or revisions to
any forward-looking statement to reflect any change in the
Company's expectations or any change in events, conditions or
circumstances on which the forward-looking statement is based that
occur after the date hereof. You should not place undue reliance on
our forward-looking statements because the matters they describe
are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our
forward-looking statements are based on the information currently
available to us and speak only as of the date hereof. New risks and
uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us
to predict these matters or how they may affect us. We have
included important factors in the section entitled "Risk Factors"
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2022 (the "Annual
Report") which we believe over time, could cause our actual
results, performance or achievements to differ from the anticipated
results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied
by our forward-looking statements. You should consider all risks
and uncertainties disclosed in the Annual Report and in our filings
with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"SEC"), all of which are accessible on the SEC's website at
www.sec.gov.
About Bristow Group
Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative
and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily
provides aviation services to a broad base of major integrated,
national and independent offshore energy companies. Bristow
provides commercial search and rescue (SAR) services in several
countries and public sector SAR services in the United Kingdom (U.K.) on behalf of the
Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Additionally, the Company
offers ad hoc helicopter and fixed wing transportation
services.
Bristow currently has customers in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dutch Caribbean, Guyana, India, Mexico, the
Netherlands, Nigeria,
Norway, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad, the U.K. and the U.S. To learn more,
visit our website at www.bristowgroup.com.
About Elroy Air
Elroy Air is developing industry-first autonomous aircraft
systems and software to expand the reach of express shipping to
every person on the planet. Building on the powertrain and
perception technology enabling the hybrid-electric / autonomous
vehicle revolution, its vertical-take-off-and-landing (VTOL) aerial
logistics systems can operate outside of airport infrastructure and
advance the possible in commercial air cargo. The company's
solutions will expand delivery locations and reduce timeframes,
provide immediate aid and relief in disaster and firefighting
situations, as well as rapid autonomous resupply for troops in the
field. The company's headquarters is in South San Francisco, California and it is
financed by world-class venture capital firms including Catapult
Ventures, Marlinspike Capital, Shield Capital and Prosperity7
Ventures, strategic investors including Lockheed Martin Ventures,
and pioneering angel investors including early Uber executives.
For more information, visit http://elroyair.com.
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SOURCE Bristow Group