During a vibrant launch event at the ME London hotel, UK-based cargo developer Windracers has introduced its newest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), ULTRA MK2.
In front of an audience of media representatives and people connected to the company, the Windracers Founder and Group Executive Chairman Stephen Wright explained that the project began with just “a blank piece of paper” eight years ago.
The company’s first drone to reach the market, ULTRA MK1, is already successfully operating around the world and has racked up an impressive list of clients and customers.
Over the past few years ULTRA MK1 has operated in Ukraine, resupplying the country’ armed forces, delivering humanitarian assistance to those most in need, and flying missions supporting scientific research in the Antarctic.
The new ULTRA MK2 includes 80 changes to the first-generation drone and comes with the ability to offer double the power output, bringing a 50% increase in useful payload as well as a significant reduction in fuel cost.
The ULTRA MK2, which was developed at Southampton University, has a 10m-wingspan, travelling up to 1,000 km at 77 knots with a cargo capacity of 150kg.
The company prides itself on the fact that, while other drone platforms are still testing, Windracers’ ULTRA aicraft is already “connecting people to the things they need and want today all over the world”.
At the unveiling event on January 16, 2024, attended by AeroTime, the audience heard from a raft of speakers connected with Windracers including active customers NORCE and Aviation Sans Frontieres.
Simon Thompson, Group CEO of Windracers, said: “Low cost is everything to us, combined with dependability, and the reason we look at those together is because that is how you disrupt the market.”
Thompson added: “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.”
According to Thompson, the ULTRA MK2 halves operational fuel cost per kilogram and allows for even more efficiency in the future for its customers in regions such as the UK and the US.
The company’s roots were established in finding low-cost solutions to deliver humanitarian assistance around the globe. It has developed into a variety of areas since starting up in 2017.
Windracers’ ULTRA MK2 can take-off, fly and land safely without the need for a remote pilot and with minimal ground operator oversight, whether during day, night or in fog.
ULTRA MK2 is controlled by its proprietary autopilot system, Windracers Autopilot, a multi-layered flight control system that is robust against flight control unit and sensor failures.
ULTRA MK2 also includes Windracers’ Mission Control, a route planning and aircraft monitoring system with an intuitive interface that requires minimal training.
Founder Stephen Wright spoke with pride at the launch event and ensured that the team behind Windracers were heaped with praise for their contribution.
Wright said: “I am so proud of the Windracers team, who have performed phenomenally to bring ULTRA MK2 to market in a very short time period, and for ULTRA development over the last eight years. I know the team shares my excitement as we see the operational impact of ULTRA MK2, for our customers to help people around the world.”
