News / FedEx aims high as US authorities eye cargo drones more favourably

Chaparral autonomous aircraft Credit FedEx.

Commercial drones moving cargo beyond small amounts of pharmaceuticals are inching closer in the US.

The authorities there are considering proposals for drone corridors, and FedEx is targeting 2023 for trials of the Chaparral autonomous aircraft between its sort centres.

The Chaparral is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft announced by California-based maker Elroy Air in January. It can move 300-500 lbs (136-227kg) of cargo up to 500km, operating independently of infrastructure like airports or charging stations.

“FedEx was built on innovation and we ...