Wisconsin-based Oshkosh Defense, a mobility integrator, and California-based Grid Aero, a company developing autonomous modular payload aircraft, have partnered to bring Grid Aero’s technology into production.
Under the partnership, the companies will work on manufacturability, production planning, supply chain optimization and ultimately building Lifter aircraft at scale. They will initially focus on production engineering, design for manufacturing and customer engagement. The goal is to demonstrate production-ready autonomous logistics aircraft to defense customers.
“This partnership represents a new model for defense innovation, bringing Silicon Valley’s transformative technology development together with the Midwest’s unmatched manufacturing capability,” Logan Jones, Oshkosh Defense chief growth officer, said. “Grid Aero brings cutting-edge autonomous aircraft innovation, and Oshkosh brings the industrial capability to make it real at scale. Together, we’re addressing critical defense needs with American innovation and American manufacturing.”
The companies will leverage Grid Aero’s innovative approach to aircraft design and Oshkosh’s manufacturing infrastructure, supply chain capabilities, work force expertise, experience industrializing complex defense systems at scale and production capacity.
In addition, the partnership positions the companies to meet the United States’ defense needs while strengthening the defense industrial base.
Oshkosh aims to be a trusted partner for industrializing next-generation defense technologies and creating a repeatable model for bringing innovative capabilities from development to production readiness.