HEAVY LIFT, LONG RANGE: SKYPORTS DEMONSTRATES THE FUTURE OF AUTONOMOUS DEFENCE LOGISTICS TO THE ROYAL NAVY
Through live beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight demonstrations, Skyports and Pyka showcased to the Royal Navy how heavy-payload drones can support defence logistics and humanitarian missions in remote environments.
Location: United Kingdom
Industry: Defence
Drone used: Pyka Pelican
The challenge
Enabling heavy lift for remote defence missions
The Royal Navy's Uncrewed Aerial Systems Heavy Lift Challenge (UASHLC) was established to identify drones and operators capable of transporting significant payloads over long distances in demanding operational environments.
Participants had to demonstrate they could safely conduct BVLOS flights while operating with minimal ground infrastructure, which would support logistics, resupply and humanitarian missions in remote settings.
The solution
175kg payload heavy lift drones for defence, with expert BVLOS piloting
Partnering with Pyka, Skyports deployed the Pelican Cargo, which has a payload capacity of up to 175kg, and a range of up to 350km. In the trial, Skyports successfully completed live flight demonstrations at the Royal Navy's Predannack test site in Cornwall.
Leveraging its extensive operational experience, the team demonstrated long-range BVLOS operations, defence mission capability and the safe transport of medical supplies and equipment.
The result
A feasible heavy lift solution for defence, proven in a real world environment
Conducting over 50 flights, with 25 hours combined flight time, and flying 3000km+, the programme demonstrated that heavy-lift electric drones can safely support defence logistics, humanitarian aid and remote resupply missions, while reducing reliance on conventional transport methods.
The project also contributed to the Royal Navy's wider objective of accelerating innovation in the 100–200kg heavy-lift category, helping accelerate the adoption of heavy-lift drones into future defence programmes.
TESTIMONIAL
“The completion of successful flight demonstrations with Pelican Cargo represents Skyports Drone Services’ further development of operational expertise, their promotion of industry advancement, and commitment to pushing the boundaries of drone services for logistics, monitoring and survey use-cases.”
James Morris
Future Capability Group Maritime Head, MoD DE&S