Heavy 1 Defense
Unmanned Aerial Delivery & Munitions Platform
Multi-Domain Aerial Platform
The Heavy 1 Defense is a flying unmanned platform derived from Edison Aerospace's proven Heavy 1 airframe. While the UNCV handles maritime operations and the SeaWatch covers surface-effect missions, the Heavy 1 Defense provides the aerial component of Edison's multi-domain defense ecosystem.
It is designed for cargo delivery to forward positions and munitions deployment in contested airspace. With electric propulsion providing a low acoustic and thermal signature, the Heavy 1 Defense is inherently harder to detect than conventional platforms -- and its expendable economics make it a strategic force multiplier.
Heavy 1 Defense — 8 independent electric motors for redundancy and low acoustic signature
Technical Specifications
| Wingspan | 40 feet |
| Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) | 3,000 lbs |
| Payload | 1,200+ lbs (modular cargo/munitions bay) |
| Takeoff Distance | 300 feet (STOL) |
| Cruise Speed | 90 knots |
| Powerplant | 8 Electric Motors |
| Operations | Autonomous, remotely piloted, or swarm-coordinated |
| Signature | Low acoustic and thermal signature (electric) |
Mission Profiles
Cargo Delivery
Resupply forward operating positions, deliver equipment and supplies to troops in contested or remote areas without risking pilot lives.
Munitions Deployment
Precision delivery of ordnance to designated targets. Loitering munition capability allows the platform to remain on station until the optimal engagement window.
Swarm Operations
Coordinate multiple Heavy 1 Defense units for distributed attack or saturation delivery. Overwhelm adversary defenses through simultaneous multi-axis engagement.
ISR Support
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance with onboard sensors. Low-signature electric flight enables extended loiter time over areas of interest.
Decoy Operations
Serve as anti-aircraft decoys to protect manned assets. Expendable platform economics make it a cost-effective solution for saturating enemy air defenses.
CASEVAC Support
Emergency casualty evacuation from areas too dangerous for manned aircraft. Autonomous extraction reduces risk to rescue personnel in active combat zones.
Key Advantages
Low Signature
Electric propulsion produces minimal acoustic and thermal signature, making the Heavy 1 Defense inherently harder to detect by enemy sensors and air defenses.
No Pilot at Risk
Operate in contested airspace without risking human lives. The unmanned platform can execute high-risk missions that would be unacceptable for manned aircraft.
STOL Deployment
Deploy from damaged or improvised airstrips as short as 300 feet. No dependence on intact runway infrastructure in forward or contested areas.
Expendable Economics
Lower cost per unit than manned platforms enables attritable operations. Deploy as expendable assets in high-threat environments where platform loss is acceptable.
Battle Damage Tolerance
8-motor redundancy means the aircraft can sustain damage to multiple motors and continue its mission. No single point of failure in the propulsion system.
Multi-Domain Integration
Seamless integration with UNCV and SeaWatch for coordinated air, sea, and surface-effect operations across the full battlespace.
Multi-Domain Defense Ecosystem
The Heavy 1 Defense integrates with Edison Aerospace's complete defense platform to deliver coordinated multi-domain capability across air, sea, and surface-effect operations.
UNCV -- Maritime Operations
The Unmanned Naval Combat Vessel handles maritime domain operations including autonomous naval patrol, mine countermeasures, and anti-submarine warfare. Learn more about UNCV
SeaWatch -- Surface-Effect Operations
The SeaWatch provides high-speed surface-effect transport and strike capability, operating in the gap between air and sea. Learn more about SeaWatch
Ground Control Station -- C2
Unified command and control across all Edison defense platforms from a single operator console. Learn more about GCS
Discuss Defense Applications
Learn how the Heavy 1 Defense can integrate into your operational framework with multi-domain unmanned capability.