Summary
The Liberty Lifter program is currently designing and will build, float, and fly an affordable and innovative seaplane that can potentially transform fast logistics missions for the DOD and commerce. Liberty Lifter could also provide sea-based search and rescue and disaster response at the scale of ships with the speed of air transport.
Liberty Lifter delivers this capability by:
- Operating efficiently for long distances flying low over the ocean surface in a wide range of conditions
- Sustaining flight altitudes up to 10,000 feet mean sea level with a compromise on range
- Efficiently transporting large payloads at speeds far exceeding existing sea lift platforms
- Using low-cost manufacturing techniques and materials from ship fabrication to deliver a cost-effective solution
Program status (as of April 2024): The program is in Phase 1b which has the performer focusing on platform design and risk reduction activities to prepare for a successful Preliminary Design Review in early calendar year 2025.
Following Phase 1, the performer will continue to refine their design and ultimately build, float, fly, then demonstrate the Liberty Lifter X-plane. First flight is targeted to late 2027 or early 2028.