Cranfield's emergency flyer design through to next stage of global competition

A Cranfield University team designing a next-generation emergency response flyer is one of the Stage Two Prototype winners of a global competition. The CraneAERO team, made up of staff, students and researchers, is one of only eight Stage Two winners in the GoAero Challenge - selected from 1,800 innovators from across 85 countries – and is the only UK team progressing to the next phase.

The team has designed the CRANE (Cranfield Rapid Aerial Network for Emergency) - a fully autonomous, remotely piloted quad-rotor electric VTOL aircraft - and successfully conducted test flights of a scaled-down version of the prototype in September. It’s designed 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.

Cranfield’s team is led by Dr Dmitry Ignatyev, Senior Lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Control, who said: “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. 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.”

CraneAERO’s vehicle will use AI and advanced navigation systems for real-time mission adaptations and to ensure safety and efficiency. For Stage Two, the team consulted with charities and organisations to further understand the operational needs of an emergency response aircraft, and tested their design in Cranfield’s Drone Flight Arena.

Several partners are now on board, including Structural Battery Company, Beechat, SimScale, Easy Composites, 3DXR and Radiolink. An advisory panel has been established with input from the Advanced Air Mobility Institute, London Air Ambulance Service and additional stakeholders.

The team will now refine the design further, and prepare for a Fly-Off Qualifier round in December 2026, where a full-scale prototype must be demonstrated in flight. This will secure the team’s entry to Stage Three which is a full-scale build and live flight demonstration in challenging conditions at NASA Ames Research Centre in 2027.