Berkshire's Overwatch Group to work with US-based VTOL manufacturer

Overwatch Group, a Berkshire-based design and manufacture company specialising in advanced unmanned system and munitions technologies, has entered into a strategic relationship with PteroDynamics Inc, which makes vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft systems. It is the first distribution agreement to bring the pioneering dual-use autonomous Transwing® (VTOL) to certain territories outside the United States.

Overwatch will be the exclusive sales representative of the Transwing® unmanned aerial systems (UAS) aircraft on behalf of PteroDynamics in the United Kingdom (UK) for all non-commercial sales, and in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) for all prospective commercial and defence sales. Overwatch has also made a strategic investment in PteroDynamics.

PteroDynamics says that its Transwing overcomes the limitations inherent in other VTOL designs by marrying the speed, range, and endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with superior VTOL performance in an efficient, highly automated platform.

The aircraft folds its wings to transition between vertical and winged horizontal flight, requires no additional launch and recovery infrastructure, and occupies a minimal footprint, making it immediately ready for VTOL operations out of the box.

Prototypes of the Transwing® are currently under assessment by the U.S. Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAVAIR NAWCAD) for the Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS (BWUAS) program for automated long-range maritime resupply missions.

Drew Michael, CEO at Overwatch Group said: "We are extremely proud to have secured our long-term strategic relationship with PteroDynamics. Both companies are dynamic engineering enterprises that design and manufacture unique, patented technology. Our R&D of payload technologies continues to gather pace as we develop our next generation of drones, and we now wish to extend our expertise into wider markets. Having assessed the market, the Transwing stood out as transformational dual-use technology, and the whole of Overwatch is excited by how we will enhance it."

Matthew Graczyk, CEO at PteroDynamics added: “Not only does Overwatch have deep domain experience in avionics and aero-mechanical engineering, but their ties with commercial and defence customers in the UK, KSA, and UAE will prove to be a game-changing advantage for both companies.: