Nalwa Aero unveils its piloted five-seater eVTOL scale model in India, offering multiple use cases for military and commercial sectors
Words by Eiman Suenaka
India startup Nalwa Aero unveiled a 1:4 scale model of its piloted NALWA 5X eVTOL aircraft to the public at the Bombay Exhibition Centre last month, which the company says is the country’s first five-seater concept.
Kuljeet S. Sandhu, CEO and founder of Nalwa Aero, in collaboration with Nelson Salas, the CEO of the Grug Group, have together developed NALWA 5X to provide one of the first eVTOL aircraft services in India.
Once operational, the patented NALWA 5X will offer a range of potential transport options for both military and commercial sectors, showcasing its versatility and adaptability for various applications.
The aircraft will have a maximum speed of 400km/h, reaching an altitude of 2,000 meters. It also has autonomous capabilities for up to 90 minutes, plus an additional 15 minutes of reserves.
In terms of design, the NALWA 5X has a pivoting propulsion system which enhances its manoeuvrability, stability and control. It is comprised of 12 electric ducted fans, with the aircraft able to achieve various VTOL capabilities by independently controlling the speed and direction of each ducted fan, as well as providing exceptional stability and control in challenging wind conditions.
While the NALWA 5X will be for five people including the pilot, the interior configurations are modular and can be reconfigured to accommodate diverse missions, from passenger transport to cargo delivery.
The aircraft can be utilised in many ways, such as a medical evacuation aircraft, where the cabin can include stretchers, patient monitoring systems and life support equipment.
The various design benefits of the NALWA 5X aircraft, provides the opportunity for military use-case applications, such as, troop deployment from navy ships, reconnaissance missions, search and rescue support, close air support, supply delivery and many more.
The autonomous navigation on board will include a variety of sensors, including cameras, radar and GPS, to track the aircraft’s position and environment. It will be capable of planning and executing flight paths, avoiding obstacles and responding to emergencies. This in turn will ensure safety, efficiency and flexibility.
The government of India wants to build 600 helipads along the highways for emergency transportation aircraft. The country’s population is currently at 1.4 billion, and there are very limited aircraft available for emergencies in the amount of 254 civil helicopters that are available for use.
Nalwa Aero’s mission is to revolutionise air transportation by harnessing the potential of eVTOL technology, providing efficient and sustainable solutions for urban air mobility, and driving societal and economic growth.
The company is now seeking investors to fund its progress for moving forward to build the NALWA eVTOL prototype. For more information, visit nalwa.aero.