The world’s largest cargo drone could soon be airborne – at least if all goes as well as it did at its unveiling a week ago. Chinese startup Air White Whale unveiled its W5000 development, currently the largest-capacity unmanned cargo drone, at an event in Changzhou, Jiangsu Province.
Autonomous electric aircraft startup Pyka has been diligently working to expand its fleet of crop-dusting and cargo planes, and recently, the company has attracted the attention of a prominent new client: the Pentagon. With the promise of an eco-friendly, dual-purpose autonomous aircraft, Pyka has managed to secure $40 million in funding, propelling its plans forward and generating significant excitement among investors.
On September 5, 2024, the skies over Shenzhen, China, were illuminated in a breathtaking spectacle as 8,100 drones flew in perfect synchronisation, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest drone show ever performed. This dazzling event was orchestrated by Shenzhen High Great Innovation Technology Development Co., Ltd., a leader in drone technology, and took place at the Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center. The show was a visual feast, showcasing intricate shapes, patterns, and animations, including figures like dragons and flowers, all choreographed with remarkable precision.
Task Force 99, a specialized unit of the United States Air Force (USAF) based in Qatar, was established in the fall of 2022 as an experimental division aimed at advancing the rapid development and deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). In March 2023, the unit successfully tested a 3D-printed drone designed on software from Titan Dynamics, a Texas-based company known for its aerospace combat simulation software and UAV designs.
China recently showcased its commitment to pioneering advancements in cargo drone technology with the successful test flight of the SA750U, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to transport up to 3.2 tonnes of cargo. The test flight lasted 40 minutes, during which the drone demonstrated its capabilities by flying at an altitude of 7,300 meters and covering a distance of up to 2,200 kilometers. This marks a significant achievement for China’s burgeoning drone industry.
In a significant development for emergency response and infrastructure monitoring in Switzerland, Nokia and Swisscom are collaborating to introduce an innovative on-demand drone service. This service is poised to provide crucial support to the police, fire brigade, and various public authorities, aiming to enhance safety and efficiency in critical operations.