UK-based autonomous drone specialist Windracers has launched an operational hub in Malawi to demonstrate the capabilities of its ULTRA unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in supporting humanitarian air cargo missions across the region.
The new hub is located at Kasungu Airfield in central Malawi and is part of a broader initiative to test and deploy low-cost, high-endurance UAVs for critical missions including medical logistics, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring.
Windracers’ ULTRA UAV boasts a payload capacity of 150 kg, a range of up to 1,000 km, and a 10-metre wingspan. It is equipped with proprietary autopilot systems and mission control software, allowing fully autonomous flight for cargo delivery or parachute drop operations—even in remote or hard-to-reach regions.
“We developed ULTRA to offer an affordable solution for delivering humanitarian aid to the people who need it most,” said Stephen Wright, Founder and Group Executive Chairman of Windracers.
“Our new base in Kasungu will support a range of humanitarian and development missions, and we’re grateful to the Malawi Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of Meteorological Services for their partnership.”
The facility includes a newly constructed aircraft hangar and serves as a real-world testbed for deploying UAV cargo services in sub-Saharan Africa. This initiative marks one of the first long-range UAV hubs in the region designed for humanitarian logistics.
Windracers has previously demonstrated its technology in diverse and demanding environments—from conducting wildlife and geological surveys in Antarctica, to supporting wildfire operations, delivering medical supplies by parachute, and flying reconnaissance and resupply missions in Ukraine. It has also served isolated communities off the Scottish and English coasts.
A Growing Market for Cargo Drones
Windracers enters an increasingly competitive global cargo drone market, alongside companies like Dronamics (Europe), Natilus (USA), and Air White Whale (China). As climate-related disasters, medical supply chain gaps, and access challenges continue to escalate across Africa and beyond, drone logistics is rapidly emerging as a key solution for aid and development delivery.
The Malawi hub marks a milestone in leveraging drone technology to support sustainable development goals and emergency response efforts, offering a blueprint for similar hubs across the continent.
