Dronamics composite cargo drone performs first flight
The new milestone demonstrates the potential of the company’s Black Swan flagship aircraft to enhance product delivery efficiency.
Cargo drone airline Dronamics (Sofia, Bulgaria) has successfully completed the first flight of its flagship aircraft, the Black Swan, at Balchik airport in Bulgaria, demonstrating the potential for the logistics industry to enhance efficiency in the transportation of products. The long-range drone, per a non-binding MOU with Quickstep, will most likely comprise of composite components.
Born out of two brothers’ desire to find a quicker, greener and more affordable way to deliver goods, Dronamics is on a mission to enable same-day delivery for everyone, everywhere. This current milestone is the culmination of months of ground testing and subscale flights. The Black Swan aircraft was remotely piloted by two commercial airline pilots from the Dronamics ground control station.
The successful flight test validates the company's licensed cargo drone technology for commercial flights in Europe, set to begin later this year, serving industries such as e-commerce, pharma, spare parts and perishables with a fast and cost-effective solution to meet evolving consumer needs.
According to Konstantin Rangelov, cofounder and CTO of Dronamics, “Since the day we first imagined what the Black Swan aircraft could look like, we’ve worked towards this flight. Today we’ve made history and are proud to have demonstrated the validity of our drone technology.”
Black Swan is able to carry 350 kilograms at a distance of up to 2,500 kilometers up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper and with up to 60% lower emissions than alternative modes of transport, including airfreight.
Related Content
-
Infinite Composites: Type V tanks for space, hydrogen, automotive and more
After a decade of proving its linerless, weight-saving composite tanks with NASA and more than 30 aerospace companies, this CryoSphere pioneer is scaling for growth in commercial space and sustainable transportation on Earth.
-
The potential for thermoplastic composite nacelles
Collins Aerospace draws on global team, decades of experience to demonstrate large, curved AFP and welded structures for the next generation of aircraft.
-
ASCEND program update: Designing next-gen, high-rate auto and aerospace composites
GKN Aerospace, McLaren Automotive and U.K.-based partners share goals and progress aiming at high-rate, Industry 4.0-enabled, sustainable materials and processes.