British drone manufacturer Windracers has announced that its ULTRA heavy-lift drone can now fly up to 2,000km in a single flight while carrying a 200kg payload—a capability that positions the aircraft among the world’s most advanced long-endurance unmanned aerial systems.
The announcement came at Windracers LAUNCH 2026 in London, where CEO Simon Muderack revealed the expanded range capability. “Windracers focus has always been on making sure every project is executed efficiently and with purpose,” Muderack stated. “What we’re achieving with Windracers ULTRA is not just about the technology itself, but how it fits into wider operations and strategy to deliver missions that have a positive outcome on the ground.”
Long-Endurance Heavy-Lift Drone Performance
The Windracers ULTRA represents a significant advancement in dual-use drone capabilities. Head of Engineering Konstantinos Kontogiannis confirmed the UAS can currently carry more than 100kg over 2,000km, with the full 200kg payload capability expected within months. The 2,000km range—equivalent to the distance from London to Marrakesh—opens new possibilities for extended-range commercial and civil operations.
The aircraft is already operational in demanding environments including Ukraine, Alaska, Central Africa, and polar regions. Its established track record demonstrates payload capacity exceeding 150kg over distances surpassing 1,000km, making it what the company describes as “the world’s most accomplished dual-use heavy-lift drone.”
Scaling Production and Real-World Applications
Manufacturing capacity is expanding rapidly to support growing demand. Head of Manufacturing Joe Roberts detailed plans to build hundreds of ULTRA aircraft over the next two years as defence, humanitarian, research, and civil air cargo missions commence.
University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor Cathy Cahill, Director of Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration, highlighted the practical value of the heavy-lift drone: “Using heavy-lift drones like ULTRA allows us to deliver vital goods and services to communities that are otherwise inaccessible, without putting pilots at risk. Its robustness, versatility, and reliability give us confidence it will meet the demands of our operations in challenging conditions.”
Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
