UK-based air-taxi and drone logistics company, Skyports, has partnered with aerospace company, Pyka, to integrate the latter’s heavy payload electric vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), “Pelican,” into its fleet of drones. 

The Pelican has the capacity to carry 385+ lbs and 1.85 x 3-meter freight volumes. Skyports notes this will help the company improve its payload capabilities significantly, as it currently relies on UAVs with smaller payload capabilities. 

The company intends to deploy Pelican drones on behalf of humanitarian aid groups, logistics and delivery companies, and healthcare and medical partners to transport heavier payloads. Initially, the drones will be deployed as a part of the “Future Flight Challenge” program in Q2 2023 in Cornwall, UK—a project funded by UK Research & Innovation that was won by Skyports.

Analyst QuickTake: Most of the drone-based delivery service providers within our coverage focus on transporting less heavy payloads—often less than 30 lbs. With the addition of the latest drone, Skyports will now be able to serve both markets, delivering both lightweight and heavy payloads as appropriate. Other startups offering drones with heavy payload capabilities include US-based Elroy Air (300–500 lbs), UK-based Dronemics (770 lbs), Canadian company, Drone Delivery Canada (DDC; 400 lbs), Israel-based Gadfin (132 lbs), Malloy Aeronautics (66–140 lbs); while companies like DDC and Gadfin offer both heavy and lightweight payload delivery with additional drone models.