A Bigger Aircraft for Bigger Orders: Customer demand and Wing’s Aircraft library design approach shaping new aircraft
Adam Woodworth
At Wing, we’re always thinking big about how to optimize drone delivery. Today, we’re thinking
bigger: We’re introducing an additional aircraft into our fleet that will simplify and streamline
larger orders.
With over 350,000 Wing deliveries completed to customers’ homes across three continents,
we’re learning so much from our partners and the customers who receive our drone deliveries.
Today we offer the ability for customers to fulfill larger orders, beyond what fits on one aircraft.
Our customer and partner data tells us that 70% of all US orders are delivered by one Wing
aircraft, while 30% are delivered by two. To better serve that 30% and further optimize our
business, we will be introducing an additional aircraft to complement our existing fleet. Think of
it like how airlines operate different aircrafts for different routes: This new aircraft will
streamline our deliveries of larger orders. For example, you could order last minute ingredients
for dinner – pasta, marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, canned olives and garlic.
Just like other forms of transportation, drone delivery is not one-size-fits all. That’s why we’ve
taken an approach to aircraft development that we call an Aircraft Library, where our team
works on a variety of configurations where our team builds on core components we already
use for our flight-proven aircraft. When we identify a need in the market—like a larger aircraft
for larger orders—we can adapt our design to quickly and efficiently meet that need.
Our new aircraft is the latest example of how we’re using the design principles of the Aircraft
Library to optimize drone delivery. By complementing Wing’s existing fleet of commercially
operational aircrafts, which carry about 2.5 pound payload, this additional aircraft will make it
even easier for customers to get what they need, when they want it. The new aircraft has the
same round-trip range of 12 miles and can cruise approximately 65 miles per hour, all while
carrying a standard cardboard delivery box with a payload up to five pounds.
Of course, an aircraft is only as effective as the software and logistics networks that make it
meaningful for businesses and customers. We’re designing the aircraft to work with the
existing infrastructure and automation systems that support our current fleet.
It’s always been our vision to implement a multimodal drone delivery model, in the same way
that ground delivery uses different vehicle sizes for different orders. We’re committed to
making that vision a reality so more shoppers can experience the convenience of drone
delivery. With the new aircraft carrying more food, medicine, and household essentials,
customers in urban and suburban areas will be able to bundle their orders better—and Wing
will have better capacity to deliver them in one quick trip.
We’re excited to better serve our partners and customers with both aircraft. Wing intends to
work with partners and regulatory stakeholders to introduce this new aircraft in our service
areas within the next 12 months.
