Windracers ULTRA drone reaches 2,000km heavy-lift range
Image courtesy Windracers
Unveiled at the Windracers LAUNCH 2026 event in central London (above), CEO Simon Muderack announced that ULTRA can now be configured to fly up to 2,000km while carrying a 200kg payload. He also set out the company’s vision for the unmanned aerial system (UAS) alongside testimonials from Windracers current customers.
Founder and Chairman Stephen Wright highlighted the growing demand for ULTRA with defence, humanitarian, research and civil air cargo missions scheduled to begin later this month.
The audience included members of UK Parliament, government officials and representatives from global research and innovation organisations, many of whom welcomed the advanced capabilities of Windracers ULTRA.
Above: Windracers ULTRA performing drop-floor operations at Llanbedr Airfield, North Wales.
Courtesy Windracers
The event showcased autonomous aviation technology developed and advanced by Windracers, including a demonstration of a fully autonomous flight mission at Llanbedr Airfield in North Wales.
Windracers Head of Engineering Konstantinos Kontogiannis confirmed the UAS can already carry more than 100kg over 2,000km, with 200kg over the same distance available in coming months. Head of Manufacturing Joe Roberts detailed how Windracers is scaling its manufacturing facilities and processes to build hundreds of ULTRA aircraft over the next two years.
Windracers ULTRA is already established as the world’s most accomplished dual-use heavy-lift drone, supporting payloads exceeding 150kg over distances of more than 1,000km. It is in active operation in some of the world’s most challenging environments including Ukraine, Alaska, Central Africa and the polar regions.
Above: Windracers ULTRA at Rothera Research Station, the largest British Antarctic facility on Adelaide Island, west of the Antarctic Peninsula.
Courtesy Windracers
Windracers Founder and Chairman Stephen Wright said: “With its combination of heavy-lift capability and 2,000km range now in development, Windracers ULTRA sits among a select group of long-endurance UAS that are redefining what is possible in both civil and defence operations.
“Windracers is truly pushing the boundaries to make dual-use heavy-lift drones a cost-effective, reliable and safe aviation system for those who need it most.”
Windracers Chief Executive Officer Simon Muderack said: "Windracers focus has always been on making sure every project is executed efficiently and with purpose.
“What we’re achieving with Windracers ULTRA is not just about the technology itself, but how it fits into wider operations and strategy to deliver missions that have a positive outcome on the ground."
Recognised as a key British sovereign capability, Windracers ULTRA is shaping the UK’s dual-use drone technology.
Ministry for Armed Forces Al Carns said: “Operational endurance is key to any mission. Windracers new British-built heavy lift drone, that can carry a 200kg payload over 2,000km, has it in spades.
“I saw first-hand the cutting-edge British engineering that goes into a Windracers ULTRA when their heavy lift drone visited Parliament last year.
“Our government's historic increase in Defence spending will help unlock the sector and demonstrate that Defence is an engine for Growth.”
Adopted by research organisations at the forefront of environmental and climate science, Windracers ULTRA is expanding what is possible in long-endurance data collection and logistics.
“We chose Windracers ULTRA because of its proven ability to operate in extreme and remote environments,” said University of Alaska Fairbanks Professor and Director of Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Cathy Cahill.
“Using heavy-lift drones like ULTRA allows us to deliver vital goods and services to communities that are otherwise inaccessible, without putting pilots at risk. Its robustness, versatility and reliability give us confidence it will meet the demands of our operations in challenging conditions.”
