Cranfield University’s CraneAERO team has been selected as one of eight Stage Two Prototype winners in the GoAero Challenge, a global competition that attracted 1,800 innovators from 85 countries. The team is the only UK-based competitor advancing to the next phase of the competition for its emergency response aircraft technology.
The team has developed the CRANE (Cranfield Rapid Aerial Network for Emergency), described as a “fully autonomous, remotely piloted quad-rotor electric VTOL aircraft” designed to support search and rescue and disaster relief operations. According to the press release, the aircraft is engineered to “carry people, supplies and equipment in search and rescue and disaster relief situations, giving first responders access to hazardous or difficult to reach emergencies.”
Technical Specifications and System Design
The emergency response aircraft utilizes AI and advanced navigation systems to enable real-time mission adaptations while maintaining safety and efficiency. The design incorporates autonomous capabilities alongside remote piloting options, allowing operators flexibility in deployment scenarios.
CraneAERO successfully conducted test flights of a scaled-down prototype version in September, validating core design concepts before advancing to Stage Two. During this phase, the team consulted with charities and disaster relief organizations to refine operational requirements, and conducted testing within Cranfield’s Drone Flight Arena facility.
The project is led by Dr Dmitry Ignatyev, Senior Lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Control, who stated: “We are redefining what fast, accessible, life-saving aviation can look like with our remotely piloted aircraft, going beyond the limitations of ground vehicles and helicopters.”
Development Timeline and Next Steps
The CraneAERO team has assembled a multi-partner ecosystem including Structural Battery Company, Beechat, SimScale, Easy Composites, 3DXR, and Radiolink. An advisory panel has been established with representatives from the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, London Air Ambulance Service, and additional stakeholders supporting the emergency response aircraft initiative.
Looking ahead, the team will refine the CRANE design further and prepare for a Fly-Off Qualifier round scheduled for December 2026, where a full-scale prototype demonstration in flight will be required. Success in this phase will secure entry to Stage Three, which involves a full-scale build and live flight demonstration in challenging conditions at NASA Ames Research Centre in 2027.
Dr Ignatyev added, “Progressing to the next stage of this global competition is great validation of our concept and the hard work of the whole team. We’re proud to be creating technology that makes a real difference.”
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
