Drone delivery firm Windracers has been awarded a share of £73m in funding by the Future Flight challenge from UK government-backed research group UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).
The drone start-up will use the funding to support continued development and testing of its drone and autopilot technology, including the expansion of its trials across Scotland.
It did not disclose its total funding amount.
Windracers also plans to collaborate with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to create rules for the standardisation of autonomous flights in the UK.
The challenge was established to support innovation across the aviation industry, with the third-round funding winners sharing £73m.
“We are extremely proud to be among this world-class group of companies that are developing the technology and infrastructure for autonomous flight,” said Charles Scales, CEO of Windracers.
“The UK has a long history of innovation in aviation and boasts a highly competent and pragmatic regulatory authority.
“Combined with recognition and support from the UK government, we are very well placed to lead the industrialisation of drone technology worldwide.”
The firm announced a partnership with Royal Mail earlier this year to launch more than 50 new postal routes for drone delivery.
It claims its autonomous drones can reduce delivery times and travel 1000km (621.3 miles), with wingspans of 10m (32.8ft) and a payload of up to 100kg (220.4lbs).
Windracers has also joined forces with NERC British Antarctic Survey and Lancashire Fire and Rescue to test the use of drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to support research in the Antarctic.
