Soaring

US Army tests UAV resupply during live-fire exercises in Hawaii

Editor — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:50:40 +0000

The US Army has successfully tested an autonomous uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) for battlefield resupply during live-fire exercises in the Hawaiian Islands.

The aircraft was a vertical take-off and landing platform called the G1 Gabriel – a multi-rotor type designed by California start-up Soaring, which describes itself as a developer of autonomous heavy-lift cargo drones.

Soaring says the G1 Gabriel is a multi-purpose, multi-payload UAV intended to provide a solution for logistics in contested environments.

During recent exercises in Hawaii simulating such a scenario, a G1 Gabriel supported ground troops with the army’s 25th Infantry Division, delivering ammunition and food during night live-fire drills on the island of Oahu.

Over three flights, a G1 Gabriel delivered 2,400 rounds of 7.62mm belted machine gun ammunition to an infantry platoon. Those three flights were completed within 16min from the time the initial call for resupply was received, according to Soaring.

The company revealed the milestone on 7 May at the 2024 Special Operations Forces Week conference in Tampa, Florida.

“Safe and expedient resupply capabilities are critical to mission success, especially in the dynamic environments faced by our service members,” says Soaring chief executive Daniel Trunfio. “Our innovative G1 UAS has successfully proven it is capable of addressing both elements to deliver advantage at the tactical edge.”

The Pentagon increasingly seeks to incorporate autonomous systems across all realms of combat operations, particularly as Washington pivots forces away from counterinsurgency campaigns of Iraq and Afghanistan.

In the shift back toward preparation for high-intensity “peer-on-peer” conflicts, military planners have come to the realisation that many of their aircraft and personnel have become highly vulnerable to the latest precision munitions, air defence networks and cheap swarms of drones.

Functions like battlefield resupply, which could previously be reliably accomplished via helicopter, are suddenly high-risk operations in contested environments. Autonomous platforms like the G1 Gabriel offer a potential low-risk solution.

“The army is working to identify a reliable, autonomous alternative for tactical resupply, to replenish mission-critical resources at the point of contact with the enemy, without risking lives,” says US Army Lieutenant Colonel Pete Walther, commander of the infantry forces involved in the recent live-fire training in Hawaii.

The Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division, of which Walther’s troops are part, is among the Pentagon’s primary ground combat forces in the Indo-Pacific region. The soldiers have been tasked with developing techniques needed to fight and win in the dense jungle environments found across Southeast Asia and the Pacific islands.

“Our soldiers require resupply of water and ammunition to continue the fight, however lessons from the Ukraine conflict teach us that our current forms of tactical resupply will likely fail, especially in the Pacific region,” Walther says. “There is a real need for innovative low-risk resupply solutions critical to the success of the operation.”

Soaring says recent exercises with Walther’s battalion demonstrate the G1 Gabriel’s potential to resupply groups of 30-40 soldiers “faster and with less risk than ground vehicle-based resupply missions”.

While uncrewed aircraft have, over the past two decades, become essential capabilities for lethal strike and airborne reconnaissance, logistics support has largely remained within the realm of crewed aviation.

That is now changing.

In addition to the army’s experimentation with uncrewed resupply, the US Air Force is funding development of an autonomous light cargo aircraft by California start-up XWing. Additionally, the US Navy is testing autonomous UAVs for delivering supplies to ships at sea under its Blue Water Logistics Maritime UAS programme.

US Army’s New Gabriel Drone May Cause Major ‘Shift’ in Warfare

Editor — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:42:56 +0000

By Natalie Venegas

Weekend Reporter

Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member

The U.S. Army’s new Gabriel drone may cause a major shift in warfare after the completion of a nighttime ammunition resupply drill in Hawaii this month, according to Special Operations Forces Report (SOFREP), a military news site.

The U.S. Army recently strengthened its tactical drone capabilities with the introduction of new systems like the Gabriel drone. The Gabriel (G1), developed by California-based Soaring, was able to deliver 2,400 rounds of 7.62-millimeter ammunition to an infantry platoon participating in a live-fire exercise drill in Hawaii. The drone dropped ammunition and food to soldiers on the island of Oahu in three flights spanning 16 minutes.

“Safe and expedient resupply capabilities are critical to mission success, especially in the dynamic environments faced by our service members,” Soaring chief executive Daniel Trunfio said in a statement.

The drone, a multi-purpose vertical takeoff and landing machine, was designed for autonomous aerial resupply of ammunition during battalion-level Live Fire Exercises. According to SOFREP, the drone has demonstrated its effectiveness in various conditions, including night operations and emergency resupply missions, with its adaptability and reliability for tactical resupply in diverse environments.

On Monday, SOFREP noted how the Gabriel drone may cause a “shift” in modern warfare, adding that it offers a “reduced risk to soldiers and faster resupply.”

“The successful trials of the G1 Gabriel drone signal a potential paradigm shift in modern warfare. Autonomous systems like this offer a crucial edge: reduced risk to soldiers, faster resupply, and the ability to seamlessly operate in diverse environments,” SOFREP wrote.

Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. Army via email for comment.

SOFREP continued that the drone fits the U.S Army’s goals of “innovation and adaptation.”

“This technology aligns perfectly with the US Army’s focus on innovation and adaptation, ensuring its soldiers have the tools they need to succeed on the ever-evolving battlefield,” SOFREP added.

This comes as the U.S Army pointed toward the increasing need for low-risk methods for resupply solutions, noting a lesson from the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, in which they said the current method for resupply will “likely fail.”

“Our soldiers require resupply of water and ammunition to continue the fight, however lessons from the Ukraine conflict teach us that our current forms of tactical resupply will likely fail, especially in the Pacific region. There is a real need for innovative low-risk resupply solutions critical to the success of the operation.”

Amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tensions between NATO countries and the Kremlin have continued as NATO leaders have increasingly warned that direct conflict with Moscow is a realistic danger.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and senior Russian officials have repeatedly talked about nuclear escalation against Kyiv and its Western partners since Moscow launched its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Soaring Gabriel Cargo Drone Completes Nighttime Ammunition Resupply for U.S. Army

Editor — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:37:12 +0000

By Inside Unmanned Systems

Soaring has successfully completed a nighttime autonomous aerial resupply of ammunition during a battalion-level Live Fire Exercise (LFX) with its Gabriel (G1) unmanned aircraft system.

This exercise, conducted with the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division near Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, included 40 tactical drills designed to demonstrate the drone’s capability in resupplying platoons with critical supplies under combat conditions.

During the LFX, Soaring’s G1 system effectively executed three emergency Class V resupply missions, delivering 800 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the weapons squad in each operation. The drills were part of a series of situational training exercises in the challenging terrain of the Kahuku Training Area, showcasing the drone’s adaptability and reliability.

Lieutenant Colonel Pete Walther, Battalion Commander of the 25th Infantry Division, emphasized the strategic importance of the technology: “In light of vulnerabilities exposed by recent conflicts, such as those in Ukraine, it is imperative that we develop reliable, autonomous systems for tactical resupply that minimize risk to human lives. The G1 system’s successful deployment marks a significant advancement in our operational capabilities, especially pertinent in the Pacific theater.”

The G1, notable for its vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities, offers a flexible solution to the longstanding challenge of battlefield logistics. Capable of carrying substantial payloads directly from the Battalion’s Combat Trains Command Post to front-line units, the drone ensures rapid delivery of essential resources like food and ammunition, enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of military personnel.

Daniel Trunfio, CEO of Soaring, reflected on the successful operation: “The G1 has not only met but exceeded expectations in a series of complex, real-world conditions. Its ability to quickly adapt to changing terrains and weather conditions without compromising on speed or safety underscores its potential to transform tactical resupply operations.”

Getting the Right Drones to the Force: The Key to U.S. Military Drone Dominance

Editor — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 07:27:04 +0000

By Dr. Morteza Gharib, Founder of Soaring Technologies.

The future of warfare isn’t just about advanced weaponry; it’s about rapidly adapting to the drone revolution that is fundamentally reshaping battlefields. Recent conflicts—from Ukraine’s innovative defense against a larger aggressor to operations across the Middle East and other far-flung global hotspots—prove that small, intelligent drones can punch far above their weight. These unmanned systems are disrupting enemy command and control, halting large-scale ground invasions, providing critical real-time intelligence, and, most profoundly, transforming frontline logistics.

The U.S. Department of Defense is finally embracing this new reality. The landmark July 10, 2025 Pentagon memorandum titled “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance,” mandating the rapid proliferation of low-cost, expendable drones across every combat unit signals a crucial shift. This directive moves the U.S. away from a legacy reliance on legacy acquisitions, and costly platforms toward agile, distributed, and frontline-driven innovation.

This change is long overdue. It demands we fundamentally rethink not just the quantity of drones we build but the capability of the drones, and critically, how fast we can get them into the fight.

Historically, ideas of drones have conjured thoughts of high-altitude surveillance or precision strikes from single-purpose UAS like Reapers and Predators. While these continue to serve a critical purpose, the real game-changer for ground forces today is a multi-role drone with a foundation on frontline logistics: getting vital supplies, from medical kits to ammunition and water, directly to soldiers who need them, precisely when they need them, and without unnecessary risk. Additional essential capabilities include communications, surveillance and reconnaissance, and kinetic strike.

Built for Every Mission That Matters

Today’s battlefield doesn’t wait—and neither should our warfighters. Whether it’s a platoon pinned down without ammo, a wounded soldier needing medical supplies, or a blackout zone that needs eyes and comms, one versatile, rugged system should be able to answer every call. This is what drone dominance truly means.

And that’s exactly what’s being built: a medium-lift workhorses designed for the warfighter, not the showroom. These drones leverage modular payloads and fixed-lift stability to resupply, relay comms, gather ISR, deliver precision effects, or even support medevac—all without swapping airframes.

Picture a drone that can carry 50 to 60 pounds of ammo, water, or even a kinetic payload through contested airspace—then turn around and serve as a flying node in a denied comms environment. Its battle-hardened aluminum frame, smart self-correcting flight software, and rapid deployment mean two soldiers can launch it in seconds, from almost anywhere, even after it’s taken a hit.

Such flexibility is paramount in dynamic combat environments. Today’s UAS must be designed for rapid re-tasking, allowing drones to switch missions on the fly—from critical resupply to communications relay or immediate reconnaissance—enabling commanders to adapt rapidly to fast-changing battlefield needs with existing assets.

The Pentagon’s new emphasis on drone proliferation directly reflects lessons learned from Ukraine and other modern conflicts: platoon level, AI-enabled smart drones can decisively outmaneuver massive armies and legacy hardware. The strategic imperative isn’t simply about acquiring more drones; it’s about deploying the right drones. We can’t afford to wait years for prototypes to transition to programs of record; the technology is here now, and this mandate ensures the defense industrial base delivers speed, adaptability, and survivability for decisive advantages at the tactical edge.

Beyond Combat: Humanitarian and Disaster Relief

Beyond their crucial military applications, multi-modal drone technology also has dual-use potential for humanitarian aid and disaster relief. Medium-lift drones can rapidly deploy communication antennas to create local Wi-Fi networks in disaster zones where critical infrastructure has been destroyed by earthquakes, fires, or even deliberate attacks. Conventional assets like helicopters often cannot perform this task as effectively or quickly in complex, debris- strewn environments.

Imagine firefighters or first responders immediately regaining vital connectivity through airborne Wi-Fi platforms deployed by rapidly launched, agile, rugged drones. This innovation isn’t a sudden leap; it culminates years of foundational, cross-disciplinary research at institutions like Caltech, where advanced aerodynamics, robust software control, and bio-inspired designs converged. It is the combination of cutting-edge academic rigor with battlefield-driven user needs that truly enables us to deliver unmanned platforms that are operationally transformative.

The Urgency of Now

Achieving drone dominance, a clear strategic imperative for national security, demands more than technological advancement alone. It requires a parallel cultural transformation within the Department of Defense. This shift must actively embrace innovation-first procurement, maximizing efficiencies, streamlining notoriously slow acquisition processes, and empower frontline commanders with the authority and resources to deploy and refine these critical systems rapidly.

We must prioritize building drones that are flexible and easily controlled and updated—designed from the outset with the soldier’s reality in mind. Real battlefield advantage comes when troops can use drones as an autonomous augmentation to their regular tasks. They must be able to reconfigure payloads on demand, push software updates instantly to adapt to new threats, and keep flying even after battle damage. That’s the future being pioneered: not exotic, niche weapons, but reliable, responsive tools that deliver precisely what’s needed, when it’s needed, in the most challenging environments and at scale.

The battlefield demands urgency, and the nation’s security cannot be held back by red tape. Industry is ready. The Department has signaled it’s ready. The only question is whether they will put taxpayer money toward single use drones or the multi-mission drones that the warfighters demand for mission success.

Morteza Gharib is the Hans W. Liepmann Professor of Aeronautics and Medical Engineering at Caltech and Director, Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies, in addition to Founder of Soaring Technologies.

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Next Generation Firefighting: The Role of Heavy Lift Drones

Editor — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 19:35:20 +0000

Over 100 million Americans live in wildfire-prone areas, yet firefighting methods remain outdated. The President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) emphasizes the urgent need for modernizing firefighting with advanced technologies like uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones.

Firefighters face significant challenges with old equipment and slow communication systems, which hinder their effectiveness. The recent Los Angeles wildfires underscore the urgency to adopt technologies like UAVs, AI, and autonomous systems to improve fire detection, response, and suppression.

How UAVs Are Revolutionizing Firefighting

Early Detection & Rapid Response: Drones equipped with thermal sensors detect fires early, enabling quicker response before they escalate.
Efficient Supply Delivery: UAVs can deliver supplies like water, tools, and medical aid to remote or hazardous areas.
Enhanced Situational Awareness: Drones provide real-time data for better coordination and decision-making.

Soaring is currently developing cutting-edge UAV technology aimed at transforming firefighting capabilities. Their drones are designed with advanced features such as variable pitch tractors, mixed control coaxial, and heterogeneous rotor architecture, which enhance stability and versatility in various environments. These drones are intended to carry heavier payloads without sacrificing performance, making them well-suited for firefighting missions.

Additionally, Soaring’s drones will be equipped with proprietary software that enables autonomous flight in challenging terrains, harsh weather, and remote areas. Their design also incorporates a durable aluminum frame and carbon-fiber enclosure to protect critical components in demanding environments. The drones’ reconfigurable battery packs will allow for customization to either increase payload capacity or extend range, optimizing them for different mission needs.

A Transformative Step Forward

Integrating UAVs into firefighting operations not only improves efficiency but also saves lives and protectIntegrating UAVs into firefighting operations not only improves efficiency but also saves lives and protects property. By enhancing response speed and accuracy, drones can significantly reduce wildfire damage. As Soaring continues to develop this technology, the future of firefighting will be faster, safer, and more effective. It’s time to embrace these innovations to stay ahead of the flames.

Drones: A Game Changer for Enhancing Worker Safety

Editor — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 17:19:51 +0000

Equipment designed to improve workplace safety and monitoring is advancing rapidly, thanks to the integration of drones.

Oil and gas refineries are among the early adopters of practical drone use, recognizing the immense versatility of drones, which enhance inspection efficiency, streamline maintenance processes, and significantly mitigate risks for workers, especially in challenging inspection scenarios.

This innovative approach fosters a robust safety culture and encourages ongoing improvement in operational practices.

The application of drones for refinery inspections has been a significant leap forward in safety and operational efficiency for major corporations like Shell, Chevron, BP, and others. Soaring is at the forefront of this transformation, facilitating safer inspections and enabling early problem detection.

During full-scale shutdowns, refineries face tight time constraints for regular maintenance.

Drones expand the scope and oversight of workers during these shutdowns, enabling thorough inspections within these limited windows.

They provide unparalleled access to storage tanks, pipelines, and other essential components that are often difficult to reach. Recording capabilities for drones also enable workers to record useful footage from their inspections.

In terms of safety, potential hazards within refineries, including dangerous fumes and fire risks, make drones an invaluable asset.
By utilizing drones for inspections, the risk of accidents in circumstances where human participation was previously required is drastically reduced.

Soaring specializes in cutting-edge drone solutions tailored to industrial needs.

Our drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and various sensors to provide aerial surveys of refinery infrastructure, identifying structural weaknesses, corrosion, and other hidden failures that may escape ground-level inspection. Swift identification of potential issues empowers refineries to proactively address them, ensuring uninterrupted operations while safeguarding personnel and the environment.

Soaring’s drones dramatically shorten inspection durations while enhancing worker safety, ultimately driving improved refinery productivity.

This data-driven approach enables informed decision-making regarding asset management, prioritizing critical maintenance tasks, and consistently upholding safety standards.

Additionally, Soaring’s technology assures refineries adhere to rigorous regulatory compliance.

With strict safety standards in place to protect workers, the environment, and nearby communities, regular inspections are essential.

Manual inspections often require added PPE (personal protective equipment), as well as ladders and cranes. In response, Soaring’s drones present a sustainable alternative that eliminates the need for added equipment, also providing savings.

As drone technology continues to progress, Soaring’s contributions will redefine how refineries approach safety and operational excellence, benefiting the commercial and recreational sectors alike.

Botswana’s Government Embracing Use of Mobile, Drone Technology to Better Equip Farmers

Editor — Sat, 26 Oct 2024 10:48:49 +0000

Equipped with a mobile app and advanced drone surveillance, cattle farmers in Botswana can experience a significant improvement in their ability to monitor, manage, and protect their herds.

Cattle herding is a cornerstone of Botswana’s economy and culture, and this new technology will bring about a profound advancement in the lives of farmers in the Maitengwe area.

Thus, President (Dr.) Mokgweetsi Masisi is introducing a groundbreaking initiative in Botswana that will revolutionize cattle herding by using state-of-the-art drone technology, which can be managed simply through a smartphone.

“We are going to make a difference for our farmers by using new applications that are able to enter into their phones so that they can connect them to the drone,” President Dr. Masisi shared in an exciting update during a public hearing (kgotla) last week.

Through a mobile app on their smartphones, farmers will be able to streamline their day-to-day tasks by managing drones capable of doing the necessary surveillance.

Soaring’s intensive research and development delves into how to better substitute the human element in labor-intensive tasks, making processes safer and more efficient as a result. It is a mission to provide these ready-to-use solutions for all communities and groups in need.

This innovative approach will not only enhance efficiency but also address the challenges posed by cattle crossing into restricted borders, nearly 400 kilometers away in Zimbabwe.

As the net of connectivity expands within Botswana, accessibility to drone technology will be made simple for any farmer.

The initiative aims to bolster safety and efficiency for cattle herders in unfenced areas by providing accessible surveillance technology managed through a smartphone. Drones fit to take aerial imagery of lands used for grazing will be able to seamlessly monitor cattle movements and provide real-time updates to herders, eliminating labor-intensive tasks and better ensuring the well-being of the herds.

This technology will also empower farmers to manage their cattle’s daily nutrition and health, particularly in the face of climate challenges that impact their operations and supply to food. Soaring’s heavy-lift drones promote quick transport to far-reaching areas, capable of dropping off sustenance to a distant herd.

technology presents a modern solution to traditional problems. It serves as a compelling testament to how modern technology, continually developed to be included in Soaring’s drones, can empower rural communities and unlock new possibilities for farmers in Botswana and around the globe.

For communities with limited resources and manpower, this innovative technology presents a modern solution to traditional problems. It serves as a compelling testament to how modern technology, continually developed to be included in Soaring’s drones, can empower rural communities and unlock new possibilities for farmers in Botswana and around the globe.

Soaring Achieves First Documented Nighttime Live Fire Exercise Autonomous Aerial Ammunition Resupply Via Tactical Drone With U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division

Editor — Wed, 18 Sep 2024 11:05:50 +0000

Soaring, a global leader in autonomous heavy lift cargo drones for contested logistics in defense environments, today announced its successful completion of the U.S. Army’s first nighttime autonomous aerial resupply of ammunition during a battalion-level Live Fire Exercise (LFX). Leveraging Soaring’s vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS), Gabriel (G1), a multi-purpose, multi-payload autonomous aerial vehicle, the company completed 40 tactical drills to resupply platoons with class I and class V supplies including food and ammunition.

Conducted as part of U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division platoon LFX and situational training exercises (STX) near Schofield Barracks, HI, the innovative autonomous resupply drill demonstrated the G1 system’s reliability and adaptability in varying conditions. As part of the LFX, the G1 successfully completed three emergency Class V resupply missions, delivering 800 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition to the platoon’s weapons squad during each drop. Soaring also completed three consecutive class V resupplies within 16 minutes from the time of the initial call during an STX executed in the mountainous jungle terrain of the Kahuku Training Area (KTA).

“The Army is working to identify a reliable, autonomous alternative for tactical resupply to replenish mission-critical resources at the point of contact with the enemy, without risking lives,” said Lieutenant Colonel Pete Walther, Battalion Commander in the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, responsible for this training event. “Our soldiers require resupply of water and ammunition to continue the fight, however lessons from the Ukraine conflict teach us that our current forms of tactical resupply will likely fail, especially in the Pacific region. There is a real need for innovative low-risk resupply solutions critical to the success of the operation.”

Capable of transporting mission-critical payloads to infantry platoons and squads at the tactical edge directly from the Battalion’s Combat Trains Command Post (CTCP), Soaring’s G1 system has successfully demonstrated its ability to resupply entire platoons faster and with less risk than ground vehicle-based resupply missions. The G1 offers mounting compatibility for varying cargo needs, supporting mission agility.

“Safe and expedient resupply capabilities are critical to mission success, especially in the dynamic environments faced by our service members. Our innovative G1 UAS has successfully proven it is capable of addressing both elements to deliver advantage at the tactical edge,” said Daniel Trunfio, Chief Executive Officer of Soaring. “I am exceptionally pleased with the G1’s performance as part of the LFX. Its proven ability to adapt to changes in elevations, weather, and edge conditions will significantly aid mission agility in even the most contested environments. I am grateful to the 25th Infantry Division for allowing us to demonstrate G1.”

About Soaring

Toofon Inc., doing business as Soaring, was founded in 2020 as a spin-off from Caltech’s Aeronautics Department. The company is revolutionizing the drone industry with its patented all-electric, heavy lift, VTOL aircraft that balances helicopter performance and multi-copter simplicity. Soaring’s innovative technologies enable a more reliable and efficient way to rapidly move heavy tactical gear. The company’s Gabriel drone series alleviates the challenges associated with conventional transportation saving time, money, and lives for cargo logistics and emergency resupply missions.