Amazon deploys new MK30 delivery drone in Arizona
Amazon's drone delivery service in Lockeford is history, now the Phoenix metro area is being redeveloped. Amazon's latest delivery drone is about to be deployed.
The MK30 delivery drone from Amazon taking off.
(Image: Amazon)
The online retailer Amazon has expanded its Prime Air drone delivery service to the Phoenix metro area in the US state of Arizona. Amazon made the announcement on Tuesday. The new, smaller and lighter MK30 delivery drone, which was announced in 2022, will be used to deliver goods faster and in a larger area. It recently received the necessary approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The expansion of the "Prime Air" delivery service to the Phoenix metro area, which was announced in April 2023, comes after Amazon discontinued its drone delivery service in Lockeford, California, in April 2024 after ten years. Goods are once again being delivered to customers there by van. Amazon did not provide a reason for discontinuing the drone delivery service there at the time.
It is now set to continue as planned in Phoenix. The goods come from a warehouse near Tolleson, a same-day delivery location from which the drone deliveries for the Phoenix metro area in the West Valley are to be made. Tolleson is both a fulfillment center and a delivery station. According to Amazon, this hybrid facility will enable ordered items to be processed, sorted and delivered more efficiently.
Use of the new MK30 delivery drone
The new electric motor-driven MK30 delivery drone is used, a hexacopter that is also equipped with wings so that it can fly more energy-efficiently in horizontal mode after vertical ascent. The drone is smaller, lighter and has a quieter drive. It should be able to cover longer distances in one go and also be ready for use in poor weather conditions. The payload remains the same at around 2.5 kg.
The MK30, which took two years to develop, recently received FAA approval to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS – ). This is possible because the drone has integrated obstacle detection and avoidance systems. FAA approval was granted following a rigorous safety assessment of the drone, which was also preceded by extensive testing by Amazon. Drone deliveries with this type of drone will also be possible in other US states thanks to the approval, allowing Amazon to further expand its "Prime Air" delivery service in the USA.
In Phoenix, customers can now choose from 50,000 items from the Amazon range that can be delivered by drone. However, there is an additional charge for the faster delivery within an hour.
The mayor of Phoenix, Kate Gallego, emphasized the emission-free delivery of parcels by delivery drone. This would have an impact on the region: it would reduce pollution, she said.
(olb)
