WEEKLY NEWS


HOW HYBRID UAVS ARE RESHAPING THE LOGISTICS FRONTIER


AIR CARG O WEEK


04 BY Ajinkya GURAV


WHETHER it’s transporting life-saving medical supplies to a rural clinic, delivering spare parts to an offshore wind farm, or responding to disaster- struck zones where roads are impassable, traditional logistics methods—boats, trucks, and helicopters—are often too slow, too expensive, or simply unavailable. Enter hybrid cargo drones: a new class of aircraft


being engineered to operate in the most demanding environments, with the potential to offer vertical takeoff, extended range, and automated routing— without the need for runways, charging grids, or specialized ground staff. These drones are not just tech showcases; they’re being designed for daily deployment in mission-critical logistics. “Our aircraft sits in that middle space,” explains


Dr. Uwe Gross, CEO of NEX Aero GmbH, one of the companies at the forefront of this movement. “We design around deployment, not ideal conditions.”


Real-world, not lab-bound In many ways, the hybrid drone is becoming the missing link in modern logistics—a bridge between speed and sustainability,


constraints in mind: harsh climates, inconsistent communications, minimal


unpredictable infrastructure. Vertical


weather, takeoff


and and


landing (VTOL) capability would enable operation in locations without runways, while automated routing could support operations in areas where conditions change quickly and communications may be limited. “The system we are developing is shaped by those environments,”


the CEO says. “Vertical


lift removes the need for runways, hybrid power extends range, and routing is critical where predictability is low.” Perhaps most


important is how seamlessly


these drones fit into existing systems. Instead of asking organizations to build around new technology, the aircraft is built to plug into current logistics workflows. “Our approach is to complement what already


works,” he explains. “In practice, that means direct delivery from a port hub to a wind turbine platform, or from a hospital to a regional lab, without new infrastructure or highly trained staff.”


reach and reliability.


While air cargo giants handle volume, and ground transport dominates cost efficiency, neither are well-suited for urgent, off-grid, or time-sensitive deliveries. “Helicopters are fast but cost-prohibitive and


crewed. Boats and trucks are cheaper but slow, infrastructure-dependent,


and often delayed,”


explains Dr. Uwe Gross. “Our goal is to provide a practical option that can reduce delivery times, lower transport costs, and remain available even in difficult conditions.” The aircraft is being designed with real


ACW 19 JANUARY 2026


Efficiency, resilience and sustainability Beyond logistics convenience, hybrid drones are also stepping into the growing demand for cleaner, more sustainable transport options. Replacing helicopters, small aircraft, or diesel-powered supply vehicles on short to medium routes, these drones have the potential to offer significantly lower emissions per delivery. “The


concept we are developing reduces


emissions by replacing fossil fuel-heavy transport on short and mid-range logistics routes,” says Dr.


Uwe Gross. “Our initial system is designed for early deployment using a hybrid-electric architecture, while hydrogen propulsion remains a longer-term objective to further reduce emissions.” Developing this kind of hybrid system comes


with its own challenges. “Hybrid systems are complex because they must balance range, weight, and reliability,” he explains. “From day one, we have


taken a system-level approach—looking


across power management, thermal behavior, and mechanical integration to ensure the solution is not only functional but will ultimately be certifiable.” NEX Aero’s engineering process is guided by


regulatory alignment and operational safety. Their goal is not only to get the aircraft flying, but to ensure it meets the certification standards for controlled airspace—a critical milestone for any commercial drone operation. “The challenge is not just building something


that flies,” he adds. “It’s building something that can fly reliably, be maintained efficiently, and meet safety standards.” And the applications are already stacking up.


The aircraft is being designed to support heavier payloads than current solutions in the market, handling consolidated shipments such as full-sized medical kits, cold chain containers, and critical equipment—all in a single, fast, and automated flight.


Infrastructure for the unreachable In regions where traditional infrastructure is weak or nonexistent—think


particularly valuable. “We are designing the system specifically environments where


for he roads explains. conflict zones, natural disaster are “That


unreliable,


helicopters are too expensive, and urgency cannot be compromised,”


includes response, and


medical supply into areas with no infrastructure.” To that end, NEX Aero is exploring features


like automated hover-drops, compact modular cargo systems, and cold chain support—all built around the operational realities of aid agencies and emergency responders. As part of its roadmap, the company is preparing pilot missions


for across offshore logistics,


humanitarian aid, and critical medical delivery— anywhere, essentially, that access is difficult and time is short. Looking


forward, certification, their real-world focus testing, is and


clear: gradual


commercial rollout. “Our next milestones focus on validation and


certification,” Dr. Uwe Gross shares. “In parallel, we are advancing our work with regulators. The long-term goal is to enable regional logistics that are faster, cleaner, and more resilient.” And as regulations mature and public infrastructure catches up,


just for emergencies,


these hybrid drones


are poised to become a core component of the logistics landscape—not


but for routine operations where speed, flexibility, and automation matter most. “What we are building is not a replacement for


island chains, mountain


villages, post-disaster zones, ships at anchorages or offshore vessels—these drones could prove


www.aircargoweek.com


existing modes,” he concludes. “It is a new tool that expands what is possible—bringing predictability, automation, and flexibility


into regional supply chains that have always needed more options.”


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