Australia’s Kite Aerospace (Kite Aero), a newly formed uncrewed aviation company, has successfully acquired the assets of Swoop Aero. The acquisition includes the Kite drone and Swoop’s drone operations software platform, ensuring continuity for existing autonomous aerial logistics customers, and creating a more robust business operation to build on the foundations Swoop established in the industry.
Swoop created a global leader in drone-based logistics, widely recognised for its revolutionary technology in autonomous delivery, particularly in critical healthcare supply chains. Kite Aero acquired its key assets, with a mission to uphold and expand on Swoop’s achievements.
“Kite Aero is committed to building on the strong foundation that Swoop established,” said Philip van der Burg, CEO of Kite Aero. “The Kite drone and software platform have already proven their value in enabling scalable drone logistics solutions, and we see tremendous potential in taking it to the next level. Our goal is to continue to enable safe, reliable, and impactful drone operations to communities and businesses worldwide.”
Kite Aero is led by a seasoned team with over 50 years of combined experience in aerospace technology and uncrewed aviation, bringing deep expertise in autonomous flight systems, avionics, and regulatory compliance. This leadership is exceptionally well qualified to advance drone logistics and scale operations globally.
As part of its strategic vision, Kite Aero has opened up the software stack and avionics system to third-party integration, allowing broader adoption and interoperability across the industry.
The flight operating system, which has logged more than 36,000 flights and over 20,000 flight hours, is a proven and robust platform for autonomous aerial operations. Opening the platform to third parties will empower partners and operators to leverage the technology for a wide range of applications, from logistics and emergency response to commercial drone services. In addition to advancing the Kite drone platform, Kite Aero will explore opportunities to re-engage former Swoop employees and industry partners.
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