Gene Avakyan, an aerospace engineer and entrepreneur, has developed electric “robot” planes that he believes can revolutionize the world. Avakyan, who was born in Ukraine and left as a child, wants to utilize his creations in the ongoing conflict in his birthplace to aid the country’s efforts. His company, Edison Aerospace, originally focused on designing robotic aircraft for crop-dusting but has now expanded its scope to include military applications such as locating anti-aircraft missile batteries, cargo delivery, and munitions deployment.
Reflecting on his own experiences fleeing Ukraine, Avakyan recounts the challenges he faced as a child during his journey to the United States. This formative experience has instilled in him a sense of urgency to help Ukraine in any way he can, both in terms of military aviation and agricultural modernization.
Avakyan, who studied aerospace engineering at UCLA, currently resides in Florida but remains deeply connected to Ukraine and feels a strong sense of injustice regarding the ongoing conflict. He expresses his desire to be on the right side of history and believes that the war in Ukraine is a clear-cut case.
Avakyan’s technology involves electric, optionally-manned aircraft that can be piloted remotely from the ground or fly autonomously. These planes have a flight time of approximately one hour and are powered by a battery similar in size to those used in Tesla Model Three cars. The aircraft, with a wingspan of 40 feet, can carry 200 gallons of payload for spraying purposes, making them a viable replacement for currently used manned spray planes.
Beyond their potential military applications, Avakyan hopes that his electric planes will contribute to the country’s reconstruction and improve global agriculture practices. Current crop spraying methods involve pilots manually flying low and fast, which poses significant dangers. Avakyan’s aircraft aim to reduce fatalities caused by accidents during crop spraying and lower operating costs for companies involved in the industry.
Avakyan also envisions a future where electric passenger planes, including air taxis, become a reality. He is seeking funding to develop prototypes for these innovative aircraft.
In addition to Edison Aerospace, Avakyan and his wife, Victoria Unikel, have founded several other successful businesses. They complement each other’s strengths and work collaboratively to achieve their goals.
Avakyan expresses gratitude for the opportunities and luxuries he now enjoys compared to his childhood in Ukraine. He acknowledges the sacrifices his parents made to provide him with a better life in the United States and is committed to leveraging his success to support his home country.
As Avakyan continues to work with the US Federal Government and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), his innovative electric planes hold the potential to make a significant impact in the military and agricultural sectors, as well as contribute to the overall advancement of aviation technology.
