News / Unmanned aircraft are the future for air cargo – 'but we need time to get it right'

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More than 30 mostly European organisations are pressing for the development of unmanned cargo aircraft (UCA).

Forwarders, shippers, universities and aircraft manufacturers, grouped under the name Platform for UCA (PUCA), are researching technological and regulatory issues and hoping to attract investment.

UCAs are expected to be cheaper and more efficient than piloted aircraft, and PUCA sees commercial possibilities in those with a 10-tonne payload, to cover thin traffic routes.

“We don’t believe there’s a market for big aircraft,” said Hans Heerkens, assistant professor ...