Sabrewing Aircraft Company: America’s Heavy-Lift Hybrid eVTOL Cargo Innovator

SKYFORCE

Out of Hayward, California, Sabrewing Aircraft Company is emerging as a leader in autonomous heavy cargo flight. While many companies focus on urban air taxis or small payload drones, Sabrewing is going big—building the Rhaegal-A, a massive hybrid-electric cargo eVTOL capable of hauling over a ton of freight to remote, rugged destinations.

With roots in defense and commercial logistics, Sabrewing is positioned to serve industries that need range, power, and reliability—without the cost and complexity of traditional aircraft.

The Founders: Ed De Reyes and Oliver Garrow

Ed De Reyes, a U.S. Air Force veteran and seasoned aerospace executive, teamed up with Oliver Garrow, a talented aerospace designer, to found Sabrewing in 2016. Their goal was clear: develop a scalable, heavy-lift UAV that could serve both military and civilian cargo needs.

De Reyes brings decades of flight test and regulatory experience, while Garrow—creator of the Garrow Tailsitter VTOL concept—drives the innovation behind Sabrewing’s unique hybrid design.

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The Aircraft: Rhaegal-A – The Heavy-Lift Autonomous Game Changer

Sabrewing’s Rhaegal-A isn’t just an oversized drone—it’s a fully autonomous, fixed-wing eVTOL built to lift, fly, and land cargo in places trucks can’t reach.

Rhaegal-A Specs at a Glance:

Payload: Over 2,000 lbs (~900 kg)
Range: Up to 1,000 nautical miles (~1,850 km)
Propulsion: Hybrid-electric (turboshaft engine + batteries)
Takeoff Modes: Both VTOL and CTOL (conventional)
Design: Winged with four ducted lift fans and pusher propellers
Cargo Access: Built for easy containerized loading/unloading

It combines VTOL flexibility with long-distance cruise capability—a rare and powerful combination in unmanned cargo flight.

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Mission: Deliver Anywhere, Autonomously

Sabrewing’s mission is to solve three critical logistics challenges: distance, infrastructure limitations, and speed.

Military Supply: Delivering gear and supplies to remote bases or disaster zones without endangering pilots
Commercial Logistics: Linking rural or hard-to-reach hubs with next-gen cargo transport
Disaster & Humanitarian Relief: Flying emergency supplies into areas where runways or roads are damaged
Infrastructure-Free Flight: Operates from helipads, dirt strips, or no infrastructure at all

With autonomous operation and hybrid power, Rhaegal-A can go where others can’t—quickly, cleanly, and at scale.

Milestones & Partnerships

Sabrewing has already notched key achievements and signed notable partnerships:

Ameriflight, the largest Part 135 cargo airline in the U.S., intends to purchase 35 Rhaegal-A aircraft for its growing operations
U.S. Air Force selected Sabrewing as part of its Agility Prime initiative, exploring UAVs for defense resupply
In 2022, Rhaegal-A lifted 829 pounds during its first hover test, setting a record for its class
Actively working on type certification and commercial delivery readiness over the next few years

Why Ceekers Should Watch Sabrewing

For Ceekers—those exploring the intersections of infrastructure, autonomy, sustainability, and logistics—Sabrewing is a standout:

Heavy Lift with Autonomy: Few eVTOLs combine this level of range and payload with uncrewed operation
Real Supply Chain Integration: Not just tech demos—Sabrewing is working with commercial air carriers and military buyers
Hybrid-Electric Efficiency: More sustainable than conventional air freight, with far lower fuel costs
Remote Access: Ideal for decentralized or off-grid networks in humanitarian, defense, and creator economies
Cargo-First Innovation: Designed specifically for freight, not adapted from passenger platforms

Looking Ahead

With its powerful aircraft, real partnerships, and a laser focus on cargo logistics, Sabrewing is set to play a major role in the future of autonomous supply chains. As demand grows for fast, reliable delivery without runways or roads, the Rhaegal-A stands ready to lift the load.

PhotoCredit: Sabrewing Aircraft (USA)