New Autonomous Cargo Drone Initiative Targets Medical Delivery in Remote African Communities
Transforming Humanitarian Logistics with Drone Technology
At the 2025 Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, a new partnership between Aviation Sans Frontières and UK-based drone company Windracers was announced. The collaboration aims to modernize medical logistics in some of Africa’s most remote regions using autonomous cargo drones.
Aviation Sans Frontières, a humanitarian aviation organization, brings years of experience in delivering aid by air. Windracers, known for its heavy-lift unmanned cargo aircraft, provides the technology and operational infrastructure.
“This project represents a potential turning point for humanitarian logistics in Africa,” said Stephane Blandino, Project Manager for Aviation Sans Frontières. “By combining our operational experience with cutting-edge drone technology, we are developing a solution that is both innovative and grounded in the realities of the field — sustainable, scalable, and adapted to the needs of the most remote communities. It’s about making healthcare accessible — regardless of distance.”
ULTRA MK2: Designed for Long-Distance Relief
The central technology behind the project is the Windracers ULTRA MK2. This self-flying cargo drone can carry up to 150 kilograms over distances of 1,000 kilometers. The aircraft features a rugged design and supports an optional drop-bay floor that allows for safe parachute delivery of aid supplies.
“Logistics is the backbone of humanitarian aid, often representing 60 to 80% of expenses depending on the sector of activity,” said Stephen Wright, Founder and Group Executive Chairman of Windracers. “We developed ULTRA with this exact idea in mind — to provide low-cost means of delivering humanitarian aid to hard-to-reach locations for people who need help the most.”
Windracers is already operating in Malawi, where the company is establishing a dedicated drone operations base for humanitarian and development work.
Cold Chain Innovation and Local Integration
In the next phase, the drone platform will undergo testing for cold-chain medical deliveries. The goal is to transport vaccines and other temperature-sensitive supplies across challenging terrain.
The partnership also focuses on local training programs and regulatory engagement. By working with regional stakeholders, the team hopes to build a sustainable and repeatable model for drone-based humanitarian aid throughout the continent.
Official Launch at Paris Air Show 2025
The project will be formally introduced at the Paris Air Show on Wednesday, June 18. A joint press conference will be held at the Aviation Sans Frontières stand. The event will also feature Airspace Drone and Aerial Metric, two organizations supporting lightweight drone technology for humanitarian missions.
By combining advanced drone engineering with on-the-ground experience, the Aviation Sans Frontières–Windracers initiative seeks to make life-saving supplies more accessible to communities that need them most.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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