Cross-country electric UAS flight demonstrations mark major milestones for U.S. Army modernization and unmanned operations

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA), a leader in autonomy and AI‑powered unmanned systems, is advancing long‑endurance electric unmanned operations with the Pendleton UAS Range (PUR) by validating cross‑country flight profiles built for distributed defense missions. KHA’s K1000ULE demonstrated a planned launch at one site and recovery at another, with relay‑extended connectivity and in‑flight control handoff, in support of the U.S. Army’s 1st Multi‑Domain Task Force (1MDTF).

The results mark a practical step toward point‑to‑point electric UAS operations that can transition between planned launch and recovery locations while maintaining connectivity when missions cannot afford gaps, all supported at America’s most turnkey and business‑friendly UAS range.

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Cross‑Country Flights at PUR Validate Distributed Mission Workflows

KHA recently completed a series of cross‑country eVTOL UAS flights at PUR in direct support of 1MDTF. Ahead of an upcoming deployment, KHA executed an 18 km mission to an alternate landing site for 1MDTF, validating the planned point‑to‑point profile the task force expects to use operationally.

For 1MDTF, this profile reduces risk for Pacific operations where forces must reposition across dispersed locations, operate with limited ground line of sight, and keep teams and equipment light.

The flights at PUR validated the full end‑to‑end workflow as a single integrated mission, giving 1MDTF a proven profile and a comparable flight log to carry into deployment.

These flights delivered two operational advantages for 1MDTF:

1. Planned launch and recovery at different sites. 1MDTF can now plan missions that launch from one location and recover at another without relying on an emergency landing function.

2. Relay‑extended range and connectivity. One aircraft served as an Air Data Relay (ADR), maintaining connectivity between control stations and the mission aircraft by recovering at the alternate site, extending reach while preserving control and situational awareness.

Conducted in the FAA’s national airspace at PUR, the mission validated long‑range point‑to‑point operations in a civilian range environment prior to deployment.

“Thanks to KHA’s previous mission testing at Pendleton UAS Range, we were able to execute the concept of launching and landing the K1000ULE UAS at different sites, including utilizing a mesh network relay through another aircraft to land without Electronic Line of Sight (ELOS) from the ground control station to the landing platform,” said a MDTF Soldier. “This achievement marks a significant milestone in enhancing the safety, adaptability, and dynamic capabilities for future operations in the INDOPACOM AOR.”

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Why Pendleton UAS Range

These advanced operations are made possible through the Pendleton UAS Range’s flexible, affordable, and customer‑first approach, which enables companies like KHA to execute complex missions efficiently and safely, without bureaucratic delays or scheduling barriers.

That flexibility has supported KHA’s endurance roadmap for years. In summer 2023, KHA’s solar‑electric K1000ULE completed a 75‑hour 35‑minute continuous flight at PUR, setting a new world endurance record in the Group 2 fixed‑wing category.

“Pendleton is more than a test site; we are a proving ground for the next generation of flight,” said Jesse Steele, Range Manager. “Our approach is rooted in supporting innovators like Kraus Hamdani to operate faster, safer, and more affordably. This latest milestone shows just how powerful that relationship can be, and we look forward to continuing to support their efforts.”

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About Kraus Hamdani Aerospace

Kraus Hamdani Aerospace builds AI‑powered unmanned aerial technologies for the world’s most critical missions, when communications fail, infrastructure breaks down, and seconds matter. With proven deployments across military and commercial sectors, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace has supported the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, MARSOC, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, and global energy leaders. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, the company operates worldwide.

About Pendleton UAS Range

Pendleton UAS Range (PUR), owned and operated by the City of Pendleton, is America’s most turnkey UAS range for fast, safe, and affordable UAS operations. PUR covers 14,000 sq mi of FAA‑approved airspace in northeast Oregon with operations approved to 15,000 ft MSL in over 50 diverse climates and terrains. Purpose‑built infrastructure and facilities include state‑of‑the‑art hangars, 16 UAS test pads with water, power, and 10 Gbps fiber, a UAS‑friendly air traffic control tower, three mobile command centers, an on‑site machine shop, and a 160‑acre UAS industrial park with shovel‑ready ground. Led by an experienced team that takes the tedium out of testing, PUR is on a mission to fuel UAS innovation, stimulate economic growth, and attract investment to the State of Oregon.

Learn more at: http://www.pendletonuasrange.com/