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First flights of uncrewed aircraft in Antarctica

A team testing the Windracers ULTRA drone in Antarctica has shared the first video footage of the aircraft flying autonomously over British Antarctic Survey’s (BAS) Rothera Research Station and its nearby islands. Scientists and engineers, from BAS and Windracers, are testing the uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) in Antarctica to check its suitability for future use. Over the last few weeks the UAV has flown over 720kms collecting scientific data that could enable researchers…

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Windracers and British Antarctic Survey arrive in Antarctica to test ULTRA UAV

A team have arrived at Rothera Research Station, ready to start testing the new Windracers ULTRA autonomous drone in Antarctica. If successful, the new drone platform could represent a major addition to British Antarctic Survey’s scientific capability on the frozen continent – offering the potential to do more science at a lower cost, with a…

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Financial Times Tech Champions Winner 2023 in the Logistics Category

Windracers have been awarded the winner for the logistics category in the Financial Times Champions Report 2023. Stephen Wright, co-founder and executive chair of UK drone maker Windracers, says its machines could be a solution in countries affected by conflicts. He also thinks they have the potential to transform transportation in other developing nations. “There…

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ITV NEWS ANGLIA: Scientists in Cambridge unveil huge eco-friendly drone

(Credit: ITV NEWS ANGLIA) Note to editors: About British Antarctic Survey   The British Antarctic Survey strives to uncover the secrets of the Polar Regions and the frozen regions of the Earth. Our expertise spans the depths of the oceans to the inner edge of space.    Our research highlights the fragility of the Earth’s frozen environments,…

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British Antarctic Survey unveils pilotless plane for testing in Antarctica

Polar science could reach new heights as researchers prepare to test the new Windracers ULTRA autonomous drone in Antarctica this season.   A new, state-of-the-art autonomous drone capable of carrying a wide range of science sensors is heading south for its inaugural flight on the icy continent this Antarctic field season from January to March 2024.…

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Royal Navy: Aircraft drone makes history landing on Royal Navy carrier at sea

A pilotless plane has flown on and off a Royal Navy aircraft carrier for the first time (Picture: Royal Navy) The W Autonomous Systems (WAS) drone flew from the Lizard Peninsula and on to the deck of HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast, delivered supplies, then flew back in a milestone flight which…

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Forces News: Supply Drone Successfully Lands on UK’s Largest Warship in First for Royal Navy

Briohny Williams | 8th September 2023 at 7:07am A supply drone has safely landed on Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in a first for naval operations. The Southampton-based W Autonomous Systems (WAS) drone flew from the Lizard Peninsula and onto the deck of HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast, delivered supplies, then…

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W Autonomous Systems, Part of the Windracers Group, Makes History Landing on Royal Aircraft Carrier

The W Autonomous Systems (WAS) drone flew from the Lizard Peninsula and on to the deck of HMS Prince of Wales off the Cornish coast, delivered supplies, then flew back in a milestone flight which points the way to the future of naval aviation. It’s a vital step along the way to operating crewless aircraft…

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Sustainable Aviation Test Environment (SATE) wins Collaborate To Innovate Award for Aerospace and Defence

SATE, the low carbon aviation test centre, has been named winner of The Engineer’s Collaborate To Innovate Award for Aerospace and Defence. The project was credited with driving the development of low carbon aviation technologies whilst simultaneously helping to improve the connectivity of the UK’s most remote region. It comes following Windracers’ groundbreaking autonomous aviation…

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Windracers secures third round of funding from Future Flight at UKRI

Windracers has won a third round of successful funding from the Future Flight challenge at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to conduct further rigorous testing of its middle mile logistics drones and high-reliability autopilot technology.

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