Austin-based Skyways made two announcements on November 9: an FAA authorization to fly its uncrewed aircraft beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) from the U.S. coast out over the high seas, and the launch of a new long-range cargo model called Skyreach.
Shore-to-offshore mission with Shell
The FAA approval came through the agency’s Section 927 waiver process for unmanned aircraft. Skyways says it is the first authorization of its kind for an uncrewed aircraft. It clears the company to fly a planned mission with Shell Pipeline Company LP (SPLC) from SPLC’s facility in Gibson, Louisiana, to an offshore platform in the Gulf of America.
On that flight, Skyways’ V2 aircraft is to inspect a pipeline right-of-way on the way out and then demonstrate a simulated delivery of critical equipment to the platform, combining two missions in one trip. The V2 takes off and lands vertically on electric power, cruises on a heavy-fuel engine and uses satellite-based command and control. The companies did not give a date for the flight.
Acting FAA Deputy Administrator Liam McKenna said the waiver followed extensive coordination among Skyways, Shell and the agency to set up a safe framework for the operations. Skyways CEO Charles Acknin said the approval opens a much larger operating envelope for the company in the U.S. Skyways says it hopes the waiver will lead to longer-term work across the Gulf, including more frequent inspections and paid cargo deliveries.
Skyreach launch
Separately, Skyways introduced Skyreach, the production aircraft behind its $37 million AFWERX STRATFI award from the U.S. Air Force. Originally developed as V3 Block 2, it uses eight electric motors for vertical flight and a fuel-powered cruise system with a generator that recharges the batteries in flight, so no ground charging or battery swaps are needed. It runs on JP-5 or Jet A-1.
Skyways lists a 360-lb maximum takeoff weight, a 7-cubic-foot payload bay and 100 lb of combined fuel and payload. It quotes more than 1,300 miles of one-way range with 10 lb of cargo, or more than 280 miles with 80 lb, and more than 18 hours of endurance. Production has started in Austin, and the company says Skyreach will begin flying for current defense and commercial customers in December 2026.
Skyways says it has logged about 3,500 autonomous flights and roughly 90,000 km worldwide. Acknin said the company aims to deploy more than 1,000 autonomous aircraft within five years.
Sources: Skyways via PR Newswire (FAA authorization) and Skyways via PR Newswire (Skyreach launch), November 9, 2026.
Image: Skyways