Skyways launches Skyreach autonomous cargo aircraft for December flights
Skyways has launched Skyreach, a long-range autonomous VTOL cargo aircraft that will begin flights for defense and commercial customers in December 2026. The Austin-based company says the platform can fly more than 1,300 miles and remain airborne for over 18 hours with maximum fuel load.
- Skyreach customer flights begin in December 2026.
- The autonomous VTOL aircraft has more than 1,300 miles of range.
- Its payload bay measures 7 cu. ft. and supports 100 lbs. of combined fuel and payload capacity.
- Skyreach is backed by a $37 million AFWERX STRATFI award.
- SkyNav Mission Control supports simultaneous supervision of multiple aircraft.
A production platform for cargo and mission payloads
Skyreach is designed to carry cargo, sensors, surveillance equipment and communications payloads. Its 7 cu. ft. payload bay supports temperature-controlled items and uses a top-loading, bottom-release design for autonomous airdrops or tethered cargo delivery.
The aircraft has 100 lbs. of combined fuel and payload capacity. Skyways lists a range of 1,300+ mi one way with 10 lb cargo, or 280+ mi one way with 80 lb cargo. Maximum flight time is listed as 18+ hours.
The aircraft uses a dual-hybrid architecture. Batteries power 8 electric VTOL motors, while heavy fuel powers cruise and a generator recharges the batteries during flight. The system is compatible with JP-5 and Jet A-1 fuels, avoiding the need for ground-side charging or battery swaps.
Built from operational experience and Air Force backing
Skyways says Skyreach was originally developed as V3 Block 2 and is based on thousands of autonomous missions. The company says the platform draws on eight years of operational data from defense and commercial customers, including Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force missions.
Skyreach is the production platform behind Skyways' previously announced $37 million AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force. The award, announced in June 2025, is intended to support full-rate production. Since receiving it, Skyways says it has finalized the production design, advanced flight qualification testing and started production in Austin, Texas.
“Built on Skyways' eight years of real-world operational experience with V2, Skyreach is our most capable platform yet,” Charles Acknin, Skyways co-founder and CEO, said in the announcement.
Designed for distributed, high-frequency operations
Skyreach is intended to operate without runways, specialized ground crews or complex aviation infrastructure. Skyways says it is engineered for shipboard and austere environments, withstanding winds up to 40 knots and temperatures from -5°F to 120°F.
Onboard autonomy handles flight navigation, mission execution and emergency maneuvers. SkyNav Mission Control is designed to let operators supervise multiple aircraft at the same time as fleets expand. The aircraft is classified as Group 3, or Group 2 with a waiver, and has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 360 lbs.
Current defense and commercial customers are scheduled to begin flying Skyreach in December 2026. New customers can reserve capacity now through Skyways. The company says its long-term ambition is to deploy a network of over 1,000 autonomous aircraft for defense and commercial customers within five years, positioning Skyreach as a scalable option for logistics and aerial services.
