ASIM, jun 20
Windracers, originating from research at the University of Southampton, aims to revolutionize humanitarian aid delivery through self-flying aircraft. Their mission has expanded to making autonomous aircraft a reliable and cost-effective option for logistics, particularly in remote areas. Chairman Stephen Wright highlights the industry’s neglect of the middle mile in logistics, which Windracers seeks to innovate. Over the past seven years, they have developed ULTRA, a fixed-wing aircraft with a 10-meter wingspan capable of carrying 100kg over 1000 km. ULTRA, showcased at Stand 1110 at the UK Research and Innovation stand, offers lower costs and greater reliability than traditional logistics methods. Windracers provides training for operating ULTRA or offers full operational management for seamless logistics missions. Utilizing advanced autopilot technology, ULTRA ensures safe and autonomous flight from start to finish.
Windracers’ ULTRA addresses three primary use cases: delivery, detection, and drop. In delivery, ULTRA enhances mail and parcel distribution to remote locations, evidenced by collaborations with the Royal Mail and the UKRI-funded Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) project. For detection, ULTRA serves in aerial surveys for early forest fire detection, geological surveys, and agricultural monitoring, demonstrated by its partnership with the British Antarctic Survey. The drop capability allows ULTRA to perform short take-offs and landings, delivering essential supplies for defense and security, as seen in its operations for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Windracers has amassed extensive operational experience, gaining permissions to fly in multiple countries and solidifying its pioneering role in the aviation industry. ULTRA’s long-range, heavy-lift capabilities promise to transform middle-mile logistics, making self-flying aircraft an everyday reality for those in need.
