In a rapidly evolving world of aviation and technology, Mayman Aerospace stands out as a beacon of innovation in personal flight possibilities and autonomous technologies. With a bold vision to redefine aerial transportation in both civilian and military sectors, the company is at the forefront of developing advanced solutions that promise to revolutionise the industry. Under the leadership of its founder and CEO, David Mayman, Mayman Aerospace is pioneering the development of Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft designed to meet future challenges.
To gain deeper insights into the company’s vision and plans, “Al-Jundi” Journal interviewed David Mayman and had the following dialogue with him:
Please tell us about yourself and your route to becoming the Founder & CEO of Mayman Aerospace.
After an initial career in management consulting, I began my aviation career as an entrepreneur, driven by a passion for advancing compact aircraft and personal flight possibilities. After years of developing and testing various technologies, including developing electric, piston and turbine propulsion systems, I founded Mayman Aerospace to focus on creating autonomous unmanned VTOL vehicles for both civilian and military applications. My background combines hands-on flight testing experience with business development in the aerospace sector. I am the founder of three previous successful technology companies. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on pushing the boundaries of personal flight technology, conducting extensive research and development in turbine control systems and aerodynamic design. The journey to founding Mayman Aerospace included significant work with talented aerospace engineers and designers, where I gained valuable insights into both technical and business aspects of aerospace innovation. We were also very fortunate to have been supported for many years by several branches of the US DoD.
My experience as a commercially licensed pilot, both fixed wing and rotary wing, provided a practical understanding of flight dynamics and control requirements, essential in developing our current platforms. The decision to establish Mayman Aerospace came from recognising the gap between existing aircraft capabilities and the need for versatile, compact VTOL solutions. This understanding, combined with our team’s expertise, has guided our development of revolutionary aircraft systems. Our early work with small turbine engine aircraft provided crucial insights into compact propulsion systems and vertical flight control.
What inspired you to establish Mayman Aerospace, and how has the company evolved to become a leader in the field of autonomous Air Utility Vehicles?
Mayman Aerospace, located in Long Beach, California emerged from our work on a practical, personal VTOL solution with the US Department of Defence. We identified a need for compact, powerful VTOL vehicles that could operate in environments where traditional aircraft cannot. Our evolution has been marked by continuous innovation in propulsion and flight system control. The initial inspiration came from recognising the limitations of conventional aircraft in specialised operations, particularly in scenarios requiring rapid deployment, high-speed flight and access to confined spaces. As we developed our technology, we maintained a focus on practical applications rather than theoretical possibilities. This approach led to the creation of our current vehicle platforms, which combine advanced propulsion systems with innovative control mechanisms. The company’s growth has been characterised by systematic development phases, each building upon previous successes while incorporating new technological advances. We’ve assembled a team of aerospace, avionics, software engineers, propulsion specialists, and flight test experts who share our vision of revolutionising personal aviation through practical, reliable solutions. Together, we share a strong belief in autonomy and robotics, and that the future of special mission aviation is all autonomous, particularly for military applications.
Our development process emphasizes rigorous testing and validation, ensuring our innovations meet real-world operational requirements while maintaining the highest safety standards.
How does Mayman Aerospace’s vision align with the growing demand for advanced aerial mobility solutions in both civilian and defence sectors?
Our vision addresses both military and civilian market requirements through an integrated approach to aerial mobility. In the defence sector, we focus on providing rapid, flexible air transport capabilities that can operate effectively in complex environments with minimal infrastructure. Our platforms enable quick deployment, supporting both tactical operations and logistical support missions. RAZOR Use Cases include contested cargo, missile range extender, cruise missile, ISTAR, and target drones. The civilian applications extend to emergency services, disaster recovery, and specialised industrial uses such as offshore oil service, where conventional aircraft face operational limitations. We’ve developed our technology to meet stringent safety and reliability standards while maintaining the flexibility to serve diverse mission profiles. The RAZOR platform exemplifies this approach by offering high-speed vertical takeoff and landing capabilities in a compact format. Our development strategy emphasises interoperability with existing aviation systems while introducing new capabilities that enhance operational effectiveness. We recognize that future aerial mobility solutions must balance performance with practical considerations such as maintenance requirements and operational costs. This understanding guides our technical development, ensuring our platforms remain both capable and sustainable in long-term operation.
Moreover, the modularity of our systems allows for rapid adaptation to emerging requirements, supporting both current needs and future mission profiles.
Can you discuss the innovative technologies that set Mayman Aerospace apart in the aerospace industry?
Mayman Aerospace is developing an integrated air system that combines the SKYFIELD operating system with the RAZOR VTOL platform to deliver intelligent, scalable autonomous solutions.
SKYFIELD implements comprehensive C4 (Command, Control, Communications and Compute) capabilities within each vehicle, enhanced by mesh networked peer-to-peer communications and secure C3 with the BMS. Powerful distributed edge computing with integrated inferencing enables autonomous navigation and tactical decision-making within each aircraft and between them. Deploying a post-quantum zero trust architecture, SKYFIELD enables highly secure fleet-wide scalable autonomy to execute complex and dynamically adaptable missions, even when ground station C3 or GPS is unavailable or EW denied.
RAZOR’s turbine propulsion system delivers an exceptional power-to-weight ratio with a simplified and low-cost mechanical design. This modular design allows for mission reconfiguration while maintaining structural integrity, with multiple turbine engines providing redundancy and continued operation if an engine fails.
How is Mayman Aerospace collaborating with governments and different organizations to expand the applications of its AUVs?
Mayman Aerospace has established significant relationships with the US Department of Defence, including a Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. We are currently executing work under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) contract, demonstrating our ability to meet rigorous military development requirements. Working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration has resulted in Experimental Airworthiness certification for two of our aircraft models, validating our design and safety standards.
Moreover, investors including the Strategic Development Fund (SDF), now a division of the EDGE Group in Abu Dhabi, strengthen our international presence and development capabilities. We maintain active partnerships with defence technology firms and research laboratories to advance propulsion technology and control systems.
Furthermore, we engage with certification authorities to establish appropriate standards for new vehicle categories. These partnerships provide valuable insights into operational challenges and help guide our technology development roadmap while ensuring compliance with evolving aviation regulations.
How can your products contribute to enhancing search and rescue operations, disaster response and military logistics?
The RAZOR AUV provides unique capabilities for emergency and logistics operations through its combination of speed, vertical takeoff and landing, and payload capacity. In search and rescue missions, the platform can rapidly access remote locations and operate in environments where conventional aircraft cannot land. The autonomous operation capability allows continuous operation in hazardous conditions while reducing risk to rescue personnel. Our vehicles can deliver critical medical supplies and equipment to disaster zones where infrastructure damage prevents traditional aircraft access. The high-speed capability enables rapid response to time-critical situations, while the compact size allows operation from improvised landing zones near incident locations. For military logistics, the platform offers rapid point-to-point delivery of critical supplies, reducing vulnerability in contested environments.
Given that sustainability is a growing focus in aerospace. How does Mayman Aerospace incorporate eco-friendly solutions into its products and operations?
We integrate environmental considerations throughout our design and manufacturing processes. Our propulsion system development includes research into alternative fuel compatibility, including sustainable aviation fuels (SAF).
The compact design of our vehicles inherently reduces material usage compared to larger aircraft, while our advanced manufacturing processes minimize waste.
We’re developing more efficient turbine configurations that optimize fuel consumption while maintaining performance requirements. Our facilities incorporate energy-efficient systems and waste-reduction practices in the manufacturing process. The modular design approach extends vehicle operational life through component upgrades rather than complete platform replacement.
Moreover, we work with suppliers who maintain strong environmental standards and provide sustainable material options. The distributed propulsion system improves overall efficiency through optimised power management across multiple engines. Our research includes exploring electric hybrid configurations for specific mission profiles where they prove practical. The platform’s ability to operate from minimal infrastructure reduces the environmental impact of supporting facilities. Operational efficiency improvements reduce fuel consumption without compromising mission capabilities.
What are the next steps for Mayman Aerospace in expanding its presence in international defence markets, particularly in the Middle East?
Our international expansion strategy focuses on developing regional partnerships and support networks. We’re establishing demonstration programs to showcase the RAZOR’s capabilities in diverse environmental conditions typical of Middle East operations. Our approach includes working with local aerospace industry partners to develop region-specific mission capabilities and support infrastructure. We participate in major regional defence exhibitions and industry conferences to engage with potential users and partners. The development of our regional presence will include creating training programs and maintenance facilities to support sustained operations.
Moreover, we’re adapting our platforms to address specific regional requirements, including operation in high-temperature environments and dusty, FOD-prone conditions. We’re developing relationships with local aerospace industry partners to establish regional manufacturing and maintenance capabilities. The expansion plan includes creating regional training centres for operators and maintenance personnel. We maintain dialogue with regional certification authorities to ensure compliance with local regulations and requirements. Additionally, we will establish regional offices to provide direct support and maintain close relationships with users.
Looking ahead, how do you see Mayman Aerospace shaping the future of personal aviation and its potential impact on global defence strategies?
We envision transforming tactical mobility through advanced VTOL and autonomy capabilities. Our development roadmap includes expanding autonomous operations while maintaining the option for HITL control in complex situations. Future platforms will incorporate enhanced propulsion systems offering greater efficiency and operational flexibility. We anticipate our technology enabling new tactical concepts that leverage rapid, distributed deployment capabilities. The evolution of our control systems will further improve operations in adverse conditions and complex environments. Future variants will offer increased payload capacity while maintaining the compact operational footprint. Our research includes advancing multi-vehicle coordination capabilities for complex mission profiles.
Would you like to send any message to the defence community in general, or in the UAE in particular?
We appreciate the opportunity to engage with the defence community through Al Jundi Journal. Our commitment to advancing long-range, heavy-lift multirole VTOL and autonomous capabilities aligns with the evolving requirements of modern military operations. We recognize the importance of developing solutions that address specific regional operational challenges and environmental conditions. The defence community’s feedback and operational experience provide valuable insights that guide our development efforts. We look forward to expanding our engagement with regional partners and users to enhance our platforms’ capabilities. Our team remains dedicated to supporting the advancement of military aviation capabilities through innovative technology solutions. We value the professional relationships we’ve developed within the UAE and broader Middle East defence community.
Moreover, the region’s unique operational requirements continue to influence our platform development and capability evolution. We invite continued dialogue with operators and planners to ensure our developments align with actual operational needs. Our commitment includes establishing sustainable, long-term support relationships with regional partners.
Furthermore, we appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the advancement of defence capabilities in the region.
Interview by: ALJUNDI
