Estimated reading time 2 minutes, 24 seconds.
Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) has unveiled its largest payload cargo delivery drone. With 180 kilograms (400 pounds) of capacity, ”the Condor” will be displayed at a variety of launch events at the TMX Broadcast Centre Gallery in Toronto, Ont., on Feb. 19, 2019.
The Condor has been in development for the past year and is the next generation in DDC’s drone delivery cargo aircraft. With a potential travel distance of up to 200 kilometres, the Condor pushes the limits in both cargo capacity and distance. The Condor is powered by a next generation gas propulsion engine.
“We are very excited to unveil the Condor to the public,” commented Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of DDC. “The global application for the Condor is virtually limitless. As such, the Condor is a big part of the future of DDC’s commercial operations. Having the ability to move heavy cargo long distances is a significant milestone for us that opens up many potential commercial opportunities in both Canadian as well as international markets.”
The Condor–which has a wing span of approximately 20 feet and is capable of vertical takeoff and landing–is equipped with DDC’s proprietary FLYTE management system, which is the same platform utilized in all of DDC’s cargo delivery drones. This is also the same management system that was utilized in the fall of 2018, during its operations in Moosonee and Moose Factory, Ont., in support of Transport Canada’s beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) pilot project.
“Our FLYTE system is drone agnostic, meaning we can embed our technology into any airframe. In this instance, we have embedded our drone delivery technology into the Condor, providing flexibility and cost savings,” commented Paul Di Benedetto, CTO of DDC.
DDC will be working closely with Transport Canada to secure the necessary approvals to begin flight testing the Condor in Q3 of 2019.
The Feb. 19 events at TMX will be for the media, general public and investors.
