Having been appointed as the exclusive marketing and sales representative for Speeder in the Nordic countries in June 2022, Sweden-based Savback Helicopters (Savback) has confirmed it has signed a Letter of Intent with Mayman Aerospace for the acquisition of 25 Speeder Air Utility Vehicles (AUVs), making Savback the first civilian purchaser for the aircraft. The announced deal has a book value of US$45 million (£37 million).
Savback chairman, Michael Savback, anticipates Speeder's core attributes, including its incredible manoeuvrability, high-speed and heavy payload capabilities, will be extremely attractive to military customers in the Scandinavian region. Speeders are compact, fast, powerful, and long-range and can fly in autonomous, remote, or piloted configurations in challenging environments and weather where other aircraft may be grounded. Similar to a quadbike in size, the Speeder has been designed and modelled to lift 1,000 lbs and fly 400 miles at over 500 mph in unpiloted cargo mode and Mayman Aerospace is currently working closely with the FAA toward flight certification. Initial test flights will be remotely controlled, with piloted tests anticipated towards the end of Q4 2023. The Speeder is faster and more powerful than electric drones and eVTOLs, smaller and appreciably less expensive than a helicopter and will be powered by regular, Zero-Net-Carbon or Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
“The Speeder is an outstandingly versatile machine. We are proud to announce our intent to add this advanced technology to our existing portfolio. This aircraft is well placed to satisfy the growing needs of our military forces for vehicles that can support contested logistics, casevac and cargo missions in minimal time with maximum reliability. The autonomously piloted Speeder reduces human risk and strengthens existing fleet proficiencies; it's a winning formula all around,” Michael Savback commented.
