Kawasaki Heavy Industries Tests Unmanned K-RACER-X2 VTOL for High-Altitude Deliveries in Japan’s Mountainous Regions

This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association.

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb

Minato City-based industrial conglomerate Kawasaki Heavy Industries recently successfully tested their helicopter-like “K-RACER-X2” VTOL at Ina Ski Resort, Nagano, Japan. Due to the declining population of Japan’s mountainous regions and the poorly maintained ground infrastructure, Kawasaki is responding to a need for vertical mobility solutions in Japan’s remote interior, such as delivery of supplies to remote mountain huts in the ski resort-filled area.

 The X2 is based on the earlier X1, but is more suited to high-altitude tasks, being capable of carrying a payload of up to 100kg to a height of over 3000m. Its maximum payload at lower altitudes is listed at 200 kg. These impressive upgrades result from increasing the size of the main rotor (powered by a motor similar to that in the Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle) from 5m to 7m. This test flight is a result of the jointly-run “Project to Build a Material Transport Platform Using Unmanned VTOL Vehicles” between Kawasaki and Ina City.

Kawasaki Unmanned VTOL: K-RACER X2

Helicopter-like conventionally-powered VTOLs have some significant advantages over their electric brethren, including easy infrastructure integration and increased payloads. The FAA granted a waiver to a Swiss company, Phoenix Air Unmanned, to test their version of the uncrewed helicopter in the United States. High-altitude drone delivery programs have also been taking off recently, with a partnership between another Japanese company and a Mongolian hospital resulting in testing on one of the highest future regular delivery routes in the world in Ulaanbataar.

More information on the Kawasaki K-RACER X2 and the testing in Ina City, as well as footage of it in flight, can be found on their YouTube here.

Ian McNabb is a staff writer based in Boston, MA. His interests include geopolitics, emerging technologies, environmental sustainability, and Boston College sports.