Aerolane

Aerolane develops aerotowing systems: engineless cargo gliders, branded Aerocarts, that are towed by a lead aircraft using a tow rope rather than carrying their own propulsion. Its AG-1 is described as the first engineless cargo glider designed to be towed behind existing turboprop-class cargo aircraft. Removing engines, motors and fuel reduces glider weight, and patented autopilot and flight-control technology lets the glider autonomously position itself within the lead aircraft's wake vortices for takeoff, cruise and landing. The company states that towing Aerocarts can raise the capacity of a standard aircraft by two to three times and reduce fuel use by up to 65%.

The company positions the technology for both commercial air cargo and defense airlift. On the defense side, it markets aerotowing as a way to extend the range of existing platforms and deliver mass into austere landing zones in contested environments without risking primary assets. Aerolane frames its concept as a modernization of the towed cargo gliders used by US and Allied forces in World War II.

Aerolane has been conducting flight tests since 2022 across the southern United States under an FAA experimental license, reporting more than 100 hours of test flying, a seven-aircraft test fleet, three generations of converted Aerocart glider prototypes, and authorization to test over two US states. Converted test platforms have included the Pipistrel Virus and the Velocity SE canard pusher. Press reporting indicated the company was working with the FAA toward approval to build gliders without powertrains, with a planned three-ton-capacity glider followed by a ten-ton design, and the possibility of releasing a glider in flight so it can land at a different airport than the tow aircraft.

Founding story

The company was started around the question of whether the speed and capability of air transport could be delivered at the cost of ground transportation. Its founders drew on the towed cargo gliders used by US and Allied forces during World War II to move troops and equipment, arguing the concept could be revived with modern autonomy and flight control.

Business model

Aerolane describes serving government, commercial and defense customers through middle-mile air logistics services and direct technology sales, combining an operated air-cargo service model with sales of its aerotowing systems.

Revenue is described as coming from middle-mile air logistics services for government, commercial and defense customers and from direct sales of its technology.

Traction

More than 100 hours of flight testing under an FAA experimental license since 2022, a seven-aircraft test fleet, three generations of converted Aerocart prototypes, authorization to test over two US states, and full-capacity tests over Florida in 2025.

Latest developments

The company reports flight tests at full capacity over Florida in 2025 and states it is deploying in 2026. Its coverage highlights include BBC and Bloomberg articles on towed-glider fuel savings for air-cargo operators.