Stavatti Submits SM-100 as a Solution to USAF NGIA RFI
On 1 November 2024 Stavatti submitted a response to the USAF Request For Information (RFI) for Solicitation RFI-AFRL-RQKP-2024-0002 Runway Independent Mobility/Next Generation Intra-theater Airlift (NGIA). The response to the solicitation was submitted to Peter Seiley, Contracting Officer, Department of the Air Force, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)-Wright Research Site, AFRL/RQKPB, Area B, Bldg 45, 2130 8th Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433. Stavatti presented the SM-100 transport as our NGIA solution. The SM-100 is now under development by Stavatti Aerospace as a next generation Short Takeoff and Landing (STOL) transport that can replace C-130, C-27, CN-295, G222 and similar category transport aircraft.
The SM-100 is a twin engine transport designed to carry up to 35,000 lbs of cargo in a 35 ft long cargo bay that is 10 ft high and 11.82 ft wide. With a 365 knot cruise speed and a range of 3,924 nm while transporting a 12.5 ton load, the SM-100 can operate from short unprepared runways. With a takeoff distance of 1,953 ft and a landing distance of 1,184 ft over a 50 ft obstacle, the SM-100 will benefit from a next generation Boundary Layer Control (BLC) system couple with double slotted flaps, leading edge slats and flapperons to achieve astonishingly short takeoff and landing distances while fully loaded.
A rugged airlifter, the SM-100 will be produced as a transport, regional airliner, special mission aircraft and as the SM-100AT Air Tanker to fight wild fires. The SM-100 will be available in turboprop, hybrid electric and hydrogen powered variants. Equipped with an Artificially Intelligent Robotic Cargo Handling System, the cargo bay is designed to carry one 20 ft SeaLand Container, 2 Humvees, four 463L Pallets or up to 72 passengers. As an Air Tanker, the SM-100AT will precisely deliver up to 4,000 gallons (35,000 lbs) of water or retardant.
Addressing a potential need to replace more than 2,000 similar class transports on a one-for-one basis, the SM-100 may enter production and begin deliveries as early as 2027-2029. The Stavatti SM-100 for the USAF will be produced at a Stavatti aircraft manufacturing plant in the USA in full compliance with the Buy America Act being 100% “Made in the USA.” The first SM-100 prototype air vehicle will be produced at our Niagara Falls headquarters and prototype development center located at 9400 Porter Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14304.
Featuring a Foam Metal Sandwich structure composed of aluminum lithium and titanium components, the SM-100 will be initially powered by advanced derivative PW150 turboprops and benefit from an advanced digital cockpit environment with monolithic active matrix touch screen smart LCD displays. Stavatti was awarded the Design Patent for the SM-100 by the USPTO on 7 November 2023.
