{"id":"351ad18d-ba3a-4f08-b452-e37549ea7a1d","companyId":"8bd996d7-21ca-4238-8071-99f56f9e6813","modelName":"Lifter-Lite","slug":"lifter-lite","description":"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.","formFactor":"aerial","industryVertical":"defense","environment":"airspace","maturityStage":"prototype","lifecycleState":"active","supersededByModelId":null,"specs":{},"manufacturerSerial":null,"reviewStatus":"unreviewed","sources":[{"url":"https://www.axios.com/2026/01/26/grid-aero-series-a-cargo-drone","sourceName":"Axios"},{"url":"https://aeromorning.com/en/aerospace-defense-startup-grid-aero-raises-20m-series-a/","sourceName":"AeroMorning"}],"aliases":[],"collisionRisk":"low","reviewNote":null,"manufacturerTermForTeleop":null,"keyFacts":[],"createdAt":"2026-07-25T20:06:05.204Z","updatedAt":"2026-07-25T21:05:29.710Z","unitsInFieldClaimed":null,"unitsInFieldVerified":null,"unitsManufacturedClaimed":null,"unitsManufacturedVerified":null,"unitsAsOf":null,"unitsSource":null,"salesModel":null,"priceUndisclosedSince":null,"autonomyClass":null,"autonomyStatement":null,"autonomyStatementSource":null,"demoForensics":null,"exportControlClass":null,"minCommitment":null,"warrantyTerms":null,"serviceModel":null,"productionRateClaimed":null,"productionRateEvidenced":null,"teleopRatioDisclosed":null,"interventionRateDisclosed":null,"jsonLd":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Product","@id":"https://registry.deploy.report/models/lifter-lite","url":"https://registry.deploy.report/models/lifter-lite","name":"Lifter-Lite","description":"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.","identifier":"351ad18d-ba3a-4f08-b452-e37549ea7a1d","category":"aerial","publisher":{"@id":"https://deploy.report/#organization"}},"framework_metadata":{"framework_schema_version":"0.1.0","verification_status":"unreviewed","maturity_stage":"prototype","lifecycle_state":"active","architectural_position":{"cohort":"aerial","sub_cohorts":[]},"within_cohort_verified_vs_claimed_pair":null,"cap_flags":[],"verification_depth":{"sources_count":2,"primary_source_types":["secondary-industry-publication"]}}}