Odys + Honeywell partner up on UAS ground systems in Oman: US-based hybrid VTOL aircraft manufacturer Odys Aviation has inked an MoU with American conglomerate Honeywell to develop ground control stations for Odys Aviations hybrid VTOL aircraft — dubbed Laila — in MENA, according to a statement. The two firms will also work with Omani National Transportation Company Mwasalat to streamline aerial logistics programs in Oman and the GCC.

The details: Honeywell will provide a ground control station for uncrewed aerial system (UAS) operations to support the operations of Odys Aviation’s uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) Laila. Pilot programs for the station are expected to roll out in 2025, the statement notes. The ground control station can be scaled to meet the needs of any VTOL platform, allowing remote pilots to manage multiple vehicles simultaneously, including beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

More about Laila: The hybrid propulsion system VTOL is designed to deliver cargo, providing support for maritime operations and logistics services. Laila has a 230-mile range and can transport payloads of up to 60 kg over 400 km, the statement notes. The first launching pilot program on defined routes with pre-production aircraft is slated for 2025.

Odys Aviation already has a footprint in MENA: Odys Aviation and Aramex signed a partnership back in January to explore the development of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) cargo delivery in the UAE and Oman. The outfit also planned on setting up its headquarters, along with a high-volume assembly and maintenance plant, in Abu Dhabi as part of its participation in the UAE’s Economy Ministry’s NextGen FDI program, which helps businesses launch and scale their operations in the UAE.

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