First aerial delivery drone granted design approval by US regulators

Matternet Inc’s Model M2, a four-rotor copter capable of carrying a 4-pound (1.8kg) package, is considered safe and reliable, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement. — Matternet

US aviation regulators approved designs for the first flying drone built specifically for shipping packages, a major step forward for the fledgling remote delivery industry.

Matternet Inc.’s Model M2, a four-rotor copter capable of carrying a 4-pound (1.8kg) package, is considered safe and reliable, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Wednesday. Winning regulatory permission for aeronautical designs is one of the major hurdles required before the devices can operate routinely for commercial operations.