Watch Video: Windracers Unveils “Next-Gen Autonomous Cargo Drone”
UK-based Windracers, a low-cost cargo drone developer, unveiled its next generation autonomous cargo aircraft, the ULTRA MK2, late last week at the ME London hotel in the Strand, reports a press release.
The release says, “With double the power output of its predecessor, the Windracers cargo drone brings a 50 percent increase in useful payload as well as a significant reduction in fuel costs while strengthening its position as the low-cost cargo drone of choice for middle mile logistics.”
It goes on, “The ULTRA aircraft, originally conceived to bring down the cost of delivering humanitarian aid to remote communities, is designed and manufactured in the UK and is the most accomplished low-cost heavy lift, long-distance cargo drone available today.”
Windracers ULTRA is operational today in Ukraine, the UK and U.S, enabling organisations to transport payloads to remote places quickly, safely and cost-effectively.
Stephen Wright, Founder and Group Executive Chairman, commented, “The launch of ULTRA MK2 is proof that Windracers has moved rapidly from an idea to a commercial organisation that is meeting the needs of customers today. The team have performed phenomenally to bring the MK2 to market in such a short time and for its general development over the last eight years.”
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At the hotel event, Rune Storvold, SVP of Observational Systems for NORCE, a Windracers client, detailed how the ULTRA MK2 will carry two types of radar systems to detect changes to the Antarctic climate, an area the cargo company has been very involved with.
Benoit Gaborit, Head of Mission for Aviation Sans Frontieres, another customer, spoke of how it will, for the first time, integrate a heavy lift, long-distance drone into the humanitarian aid supply chain to establish a service that can work in rapidly changing conditions.
Simon Thompson, Group CEO of Windracers, remarked, “From eliminating the need for a pilot to developing a multi-mission platform that is dependable and easy to use and maintain, our ultimate goal is to bring down the cost for the end user. In ULTRA MK2, we have halved our operational fuel cost per kilogram and will find even more efficiency in the future for our customers.”
The release continues, “The aircraft can take-off, fly and land safely without the need for a remote pilot and with minimal ground operator oversight, whether day, night or in fog. It is controlled by its proprietary autopilot system, Windracers Autopilot, a multi-layered flight control system that is robust against flight control unit failures and sensor failures. The craft includes Mission Control, a route planning and aircraft monitoring system with an intuitive interface that requires minimal training.”



With the launch of the ULTRA MK2, Windracers further extends its position as the low-cost cargo drone of choice for middle-mile logistics. The strong 10 metre wingspan features two 50 hp Hirth F23 engines, doubling the power output of its predecessor. The aircraft offers an enhanced payload of 150kg while halving fuel costs per kg.
The release adds, “The multi-purpose Windracers ULTRA platform can detect, drop and deliver. It has numerous practical applications spanning Mail & Parcel, Humanitarian Assistance, Defence, Medical and Environmental Protection. Windracers is used by organisations with the most exacting standards, including the British Antarctic Survey, Aviation San Frontières, NORCE, Lancashire Fire and Rescue, Royal Mail, Royal Navy and the UK Ministry of Defence.”
Windracers has completed hundreds of thousands of kilometres of autonomous flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in some of the world’s most hostile environments, from Scotland’s Orkney Islands to Antarctica. Its Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has also been conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), while supporting resupply for the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2023 as part of the UK Ministry of Defence UAV support program.
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(Images: Windracers)
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