Gap Drone Forges Key Partnerships for Long-Range Logistics Drones

Gap Drone's ATLAS UAV

Full Article: https://aircargoupdate.com/melbourne-startup-builds-long-range-logistics-drones-using-aussie-tech/

Gap Drone Forges Key Partnerships for Long-Range Logistics Drones

Published: Monday, April 1, 2024

We at Gap Drone are incredibly proud to reflect on the significant strides we announced on April 1, 2024, as a Melbourne-based drone logistics startup. We confirmed several high-caliber partnerships across the Australian industry, marking a pivotal moment in our journey to build a cutting-edge, long-range Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) for regional freight delivery.

These foundational collaborations include powerhouses like Swinburne University’s Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub, NOVA Systems, the Federal Government Cooperative Research Centre (iMove), and Australia Post. We were also thrilled to secure equity-free funding from a major Australian partner, with further details eagerly anticipated.

Adding unparalleled expertise to our team, the former Chairman of Australia’s aviation regulator CASA, Tony Mathews, has joined us as Corporate Advisor. His invaluable guidance ensures that both our product and the regulatory framework it will operate within are perfectly fit for purpose, upholding the highest standards of safety and compliance.

Our commitment is clear: within 15 months of that announcement, Gap Drone will build its first market-leading UAS prototype model. This will pave the way for initial operations, flying vital cargo, fresh produce, parcels, and medical supplies to Australia’s most remote communities. The manufacturing process is expertly supported by AIR Hub engineers, whose impressive resumes include contributions to major military and civilian aviation projects like the Loyal Wingman MQ-28 and Airspeeder.

As our CEO and co-founder Liesl Haris stated, “We are thrilled to announce our new partnerships… which will together propel forward our mission to revolutionise freight logistics by 2025.” She emphasised our dedication to leveraging Australia’s abundant expertise and resources, aiming to put Australian drone technologies firmly on the global map. Liesl added, “AIR Hub has given us access to some of the country’s best and brightest in aeronautical engineering, and we are excited to roll out and launch our first prototype… in 2025.”

Crucially, our product's design is driven by Australian ingenuity, with a core focus on serving regional and rural Australian communities. Our drone delivery network promises increased access to essential goods while producing up to 85% less carbon emissions than traditional transport. Liesl highlighted the "truly symbiotic relationship" with our partners, noting that their strong backing underscores the strength of our model. “Together, we are defining the future of safe autonomous drone operation capabilities in Australia,” she affirmed.

Further expanding our global vision, our COO and Co-Founder Benet Hare announced the appointment of Eduardo Burgos Jr., former Press Attaché of the Philippine Embassy to Australia, as Gap Drone Philippine Director. Benet shared our intention to establish a UAS Assembly Plant in the Philippines under a Joint Venture Agreement. “Gap Drone sees the Philippines as a strategic location… serving as an important entry point to other countries in Asia and in the West,” he said, recognising the highly competent Filipino workforce.

This expansion aligns perfectly with industry projections; MarketsandMarkets estimates the Cargo Drones Market will surge from US$0.6 Billion in 2022 to US$9.4 Billion by 2030, at a staggering 38.6% CAGR. Gap Drone is poised to be at the forefront of this revolution.