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Dronamics Black Swan gets Kawasaki piston engine
Kawasaki will build a new piston engine for the Dronamics Black Swan cargo UAV to improve range and operating costs.
On September 18, 2025, Kawasaki Motors confirmed a development agreement to produce a dedicated piston engine for Dronamics’ Black Swan uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV). The Black Swan is designed to carry up to 350 kg and fly as far as 2,500 km, positioning it for long-range, unmanned cargo missions across Europe.
The deal aims to improve operational reliability and the economics of intra‑European logistics by replacing or supplementing legacy powerplants with a purpose‑built Kawasaki unit. Dronamics — a European drone operator focused on point-to-point freight — has been developing the Black Swan platform to serve express cargo lanes where small freighters or road haulage are inefficient.
Dronamics Black Swan: what the Kawasaki engine changes
Engine choice affects maintenance cycles, fuel use and mission availability. Kawasaki’s piston design is intended to offer predictable fuel burn and simpler maintenance than some turbine alternatives, which can reduce overall cost-per-kilogram for operators. While Kawasaki did not publish specific power or fuel figures at announcement, the partnership signals a push toward certified, commercially reliable UAV propulsion for Western markets.
- Dronamics Black Swan will use the new Kawasaki piston engine to target up to 350 kg payloads and 2,500 km range.
- The collaboration seeks to lower operating costs for intra‑European logistics and improve dispatch reliability.
- Kawasaki’s move reflects broader industry demand for purpose‑built propulsion on medium‑range cargo drones.
Regulatory acceptance and route approvals remain key hurdles before wide rollout; however, having an established manufacturer like Kawasaki developing hardware specifically for the Black Swan could help in certification and operator confidence. Dronamics already markets the Black Swan as a way to connect secondary airports and express freight hubs without relying on traditional airliner schedules.
Expect further technical disclosures and a development timeline from both companies as the project progresses. For now, the announcement on September 18, 2025 marks a notable step in maturing long‑range cargo UAVs for commercial use across Europe.
