British electric cargo drones for South Africa
British technology start-up Samad Aerospace has signed an MoU agreement with Pretoria-based aviation services provider Aerosud Aviation for the development and manufacturing of its "starling cargo" aircraft.
The fully electric VTOL with a payload of up to 60 kg will be remotely piloted and have a cruising speed of 83 knots (154 km/h), flight ceiling of 10,000 ft (3,050 m) and a range of up to 117 nm (217 km).
Rob Jonkers, Aerosud director of programmes: "We look forward to working with Samad Aerospace to bring to market this unique eVTOL, which has particular advantages in the South African and African context given sparse infrastructure to move cargo at medium to long distance at speed. The flexibility of 'starling cargo' operations will bring a new dimension to delivery turnaround times country and continent wide."
Learn more on disrupted supply chains in South Africa in the focus of today's ITJ 47-48/2021! (ah)