“ While lightweight delivery drones are being tested at a number of locations around the nation, the development of heavier vertical takeoff and landing cargo drones for military and commercial use is one of the most promising areas of autonomous aircraft development,” said Roger Connor, vertical flight curator at the museum.“ The Boeing Cargo Air Vehicle was the first of these allowed to perform a commercial flight in the United States— in this instance, carrying a Star Wars X-wing shell that was used at Walt Disney World.”
The newly inducted X-Wing costumed Boeing Cargo Air Vehicle proudly stands on display at the National Air and Space Museum’ s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.( Donald Schoenmann photos)
JUNE | JULY 2025 ISSUE NO. 45 61