Reliable Robotics Secures $160 Million as Former SpaceX Executive Advocates for FAA’s First Commercial Uncrewed Cargo Certification
Reliable Robotics Secures $160 Million Funding Round
Reliable Robotics has successfully closed a $160 million funding round, bringing the company’s valuation to nearly $1 billion, as reported by CEO Robert Rose in an interview with Bloomberg on April 21, 2026. This funding increases the total capital raised by the company to $300 million, which will be utilized to gather substantial evidence for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to certify an uncrewed Cessna 208 Caravan.
The funding round was led by Nimble Partners, a San Francisco-based venture firm founded in 2020 by hedge fund veteran John Burbank, who will join Reliable’s board. Existing investor RTX Ventures, the venture arm of aerospace and defense company RTX Corp., also participated in this funding round. Reliable Robotics has reported that commercial and military customers have placed over 200 orders for its autonomy system.
Advancements in Autonomous Aircraft
Reliable Robotics is making significant strides in the drone industry, being one of the closest companies to achieving certification for a large, fully autonomous aircraft to operate in U.S. airspace under Part 23 airworthiness rules. This certification pathway is expected to set a precedent for large Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
Focus on Execution
Robert Rose, who co-founded Reliable Robotics after working at SpaceX and Tesla, emphasized the company’s understanding of FAA requirements and the need to scale its engineering team to meet these demands. He stated, “We know what needs to be done. We just need to execute, and that’s going to require scaling.”
The company’s system allows a Cessna 208 to operate under continuous autopilot throughout all phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff, cruise, landing, and rollout, with a ground operator monitoring the process. In November 2023, Reliable successfully conducted a 12-minute uncrewed flight of a Cessna 208B Caravan, marking a historic first for the FAA-approved uncrewed flight of a large cargo aircraft in the U.S.
Military Applications and Contracts
The U.S. Department of Defense has recognized Reliable’s fully uncrewed system as airworthy for military operations, resulting in a $17.4 million contract with the U.S. Air Force announced in October. Flight demonstrations are set to begin this year, with plans for the aircraft to be deployed in the Indo-Pacific region for logistics missions.
This dual-use approach is strategic, as the operational hours logged by the Air Force will contribute to the FAA’s case for civil certification.
Commercial Operations in Albuquerque
Reliable Robotics is not waiting for full type certification to initiate commercial cargo flights. The company has secured a position in the FAA’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program through a partnership with the City of Albuquerque. It plans to operate autonomous cargo routes between Albuquerque International Sunport, Santa Fe Regional Airport, and Durango-La Plata County Airport in Colorado via its Part 135 subsidiary, Reliable Airlines. The first flights are anticipated to commence this summer.
This initiative represents a commercial freight operation rather than a demonstration, utilizing autonomy hardware that the FAA is concurrently evaluating for permanent certification. Rose noted that other aviation operators have expressed interest in various components of the technology Reliable has developed, including advanced radar systems aimed at enhancing safety.
Industry Insights
Reliable Robotics has strategically chosen an airframe that is already certified and in use for cargo operations, which simplifies the FAA’s evaluation process. This approach contrasts with other companies in the drone industry that have developed purpose-built aircraft, requiring comprehensive assessments of multiple factors by the FAA.
The involvement of Nimble Partners, led by macro investor John Burbank, suggests a focus on regulatory timelines rather than solely on hardware advancements. This aligns with the FAA’s new SMART air traffic AI program, which is being developed alongside the infrastructure necessary for large-scale autonomous flights.
Looking ahead, it is anticipated that Reliable will conduct its first paid commercial cargo flight out of Albuquerque before the end of summer 2026, marking a significant milestone in the operation of large uncrewed aircraft in U.S. airspace. While the timeline for obtaining the FAA type certificate may extend to early 2029, the initiation of commercial flights this year will establish a precedent for other drone operators.