Meet Black Swan: The cargo drones to be used by DHL for urgent deliveries

Bulgaria-based Dronamics is an aerospace startup developing a new type of cargo airplane – unmanned and extremely fuel-efficient – for use in emerging markets. Today, the company has unveiled a partnership agreement with logistics giant DHL.

DHL will partner with Dronamics to jointly develop solutions and offer same-day cargo drone deliveries to customers using Dronamics’ drone delivery network and “Black Swan” drones – a proprietary unmanned aircraft.

Aim of this partnership

This development aims to combine Dronamics middle-mile cargo drones with DHL’s first and last-mile services. As part of the agreement, Dronamics will provide equipment and expertise to operate the unmanned drone flights, employing staff in handling and technical roles. The first commercial flights of the same-day drone cargo services are expected to begin in 2022.

Matthias Heutger, Senior VP, Global Head of Innovation & Commercial Development at DHL, says, “Innovation is a key part of DHL’s DNA. We are constantly exploring new technologies to bring value to our customers, and we believe that cargo drones will be an element in the next generation of transportation in logistics. Dronamics is a pioneer and leader in the field of cargo drones, and our collaboration will help to open up opportunities for urgent, sensitive and time-critical deliveries. We are excited to pilot the use of the Black Swan in customer operations in the near future.”

With this partnership, the companies are currently in discussion about mutual exclusivity for middle-mile drone deliveries in selected industries and markets. Besides, Dronamics’ goal to become carbon-negative by 2027 and direction to operate on sustainable biofuels in the future will play a part in helping DHL achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Svilen Rangelov, co-founder and CEO of Dronamics, says, “We are incredibly excited that Dronamics has been selected by DHL, the world’s largest logistics provider as their first middle-mile drone partner, with a partnership that provides mutual exclusivity in selected industries and markets. This partnership has the potential to generate €1.86B to Dronamics’ revenues annually, with plans underway to build and operate over 4,000 cargo drones to support the partnership in the coming years.”

Dronamics – Same-day air deliveries at an affordable cost

Based in London (UK) and Sofia (Bulgaria), Dronamics is a developer and operator of large cargo drones. And the company is on a mission to democratise airfreight and lower the cost of shipping.

Founded in 2014 by brothers Konstantin and Svilen Rangelov, Dronamics flagship “Black Swan” unmanned aircraft can carry 350 kg of cargo over a distance of up to 2,500 km at up to 80 per cent lower cost than any aircraft in existence, enabling same-day shipping over very long distances for e-commerce, pharma, and time-critical shipments. 

“Black Swan” can land on short and unpaved runways, enabling on-demand point-to-point flights and a speedy same-day delivery even to the most remote locations that would otherwise take days to reach over ground or sea. 

Furthermore, the aircraft uses a gasoline engine and a single nose-mounted propeller and can be monitored remotely through satellite. It could fly twelve hours without refuelling and can be serviced “literally anywhere on the land,” claims the company. 

About DHL

DHL is a global logistics brand that offers logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfilment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. 

With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses enabling global sustainable trade flows. The company claims to provide specialised solutions for growth markets and industries, including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than €66B in 2020. With sustainable business practices, Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.