DEPLOYDatabase

Robot model

Lifter-Lite

aerialprototypeby Grid Aero

The Lifter-Lite is Grid Aero's prototype autonomous cargo aircraft, designed as a low-cost 'flying pickup truck' to carry 2,000–10,000 lbs over thousands of…

Track Lifter-Lite
Manufacturer
Grid Aero
Form factor
aerial
Maturity
prototype
Lifecycle
active

The verified answer

As of Sep 2026, DEPLOY verifies Lifter-Lite, a aerial by Grid Aero (prototype). 2 sources back the record.

Appears inMilitary & defense drones

Overview

The Lifter-Lite is Grid Aero's prototype autonomous cargo aircraft, designed as a low-cost 'flying pickup truck' to carry 2,000–10,000 lbs over thousands of miles. Built from off-the-shelf components with a simple aluminum-skin airframe and diesel powertrain, it operates from austere runways with under 1,500 ft takeoff distance. The aircraft received an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in July 2025 and is in ground/taxi testing ahead of first flight.

Verified vs. claimed

Maturity stage
prototype(Demo-capable; limited or one-off public appearances.)
Sources on file
View all sources →

No verified deployments on file. DEPLOY tracks independently-sourced deployment evidence separately from manufacturer capability claims.

Key facts

Form Factor

aerial

Maturity

prototype

Weight

000 lbs

Data & sources

News coverage

1

Web sources

1

2 sources backing this record.View all →

Pricing

No verified price is on record for Lifter-Lite. Physical-AI systems are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price.

How DEPLOY tracks pricing

Recent activity

Every change to this record is dated, sourced, and independently verified where marked.

Full change history →

Safety record

No incidents on record for Lifter-Lite.

Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.

Sources (2)

  1. https://www.axios.com/2026/01/26/grid-aero-series-a-cargo-drone
  2. https://aeromorning.com/en/aerospace-defense-startup-grid-aero-raises-20m-series-a/

Common questions

What is Lifter-Lite?
The Lifter-Lite is Grid Aero's prototype autonomous cargo aircraft, designed as a low-cost 'flying pickup truck' to carry 2,000–10,000 lbs over thousands of miles. Built from off-the-shelf components with a simple aluminum-skin airframe and diesel powertrain, it operates from austere runways with under 1,500 ft takeoff distance. The aircraft received an FAA Special Airworthiness Certificate in July 2025 and is in ground/taxi testing ahead of first flight.
How much does Lifter-Lite cost?
Lifter-Lite's price is not publicly disclosed. DEPLOY has no verified price on record for Lifter-Lite from Grid Aero. Physical-AI systems like this are often sold through enterprise contracts or operated as a service rather than at a public list price; check the manufacturer for the latest.
Is Lifter-Lite actually deployed in the real world?
Lifter-Lite is at the prototype stage: it exists, but DEPLOY has no verified real-world deployment on record. Manufacturer capability claims should be read as claims pending independent verification.
Who makes Lifter-Lite?
Lifter-Lite is made by Grid Aero, based in San Leandro, California, USA, founded in 2024.
Can you buy Lifter-Lite?
Lifter-Lite is at prototype stage and is not yet available for sale.
What are alternatives to Lifter-Lite?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable aerial robots to Lifter-Lite include Wing Delivery Aircraft, Skydio X10, Zipline Platform 2 (P2), Prime Air MK30.
How does Lifter-Lite compare to Wing Delivery Aircraft?
Lifter-Lite and Wing Delivery Aircraft (Wing · 35 deployments) are both aerial robots on the DEPLOY registry. Lifter-Lite has 0 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Lifter-Lite a top aerial?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Lifter-Lite ranks in roughly the top 91% of aerial models tracked by the registry.
What is Lifter-Lite's maturity stage?
Lifter-Lite is at the prototype stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Prototype stage means demonstrations exist but commercial readiness is not yet established.
Where is Lifter-Lite deployed?
No verified deployments of Lifter-Lite are currently on the DEPLOY registry. DEPLOY records deployments only when verified at a named site with a primary source; absence may reflect pre-deployment, research, or manufacturer-internal use.
Is Lifter-Lite safe?
Lifter-Lite has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.
Methodology: Verified · 2 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-08-09

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-08-09

Maturity + lifecycle

Maturity stage: prototype

Lifecycle: active

Architectural position

Cohort: aerial

Sources by quality tier

1
secondary-industry-publication
Industry publication
1
unclassified
Unclassified source

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for Lifter-Lite.

Recent coverage

Lifter-Lite in third-party press

HASC Seeks Insight into Air Force, DOD Plans for Cargo Drones - Air & Space Forces Magazine

Jun 1, 2026

Grid Aero Raises $20 Million As It Preps To Begin Flying Long-Range Cargo UAS - aviationtoday.com

Feb 5, 2026

Grid Aero raises $20 million Series A to bring autonomous cargo drones to the front lines - Resilience Media

Jan 26, 2026