Mon, Nov 06, 2023
New Drone Variant to Scale Delivery Operations
The M2, a quad-copter delivery drone designed, developed, and produced by Mountain View, California-based Matternet, has been granted Federal Aviation Administration approval for an amendment to its UAS Type Certification. Subject approval underscores the efficacy of the hardware and software improvements Matternet has made to the platform and heralds the broadening of the machine’s utility.
Matternet founder and CEO Andreas Raptopoulos stated: "We are thrilled with the FAA’s decision to grant this amendment, the first-ever to a UAS Type Certification. As we develop more advanced technology, it's very important that we are able to move quickly through the FAA Type Certification process, the gold standard in airworthiness certification.”
In 2022, Matternet’s M2 became the first non-military unmanned aircraft to achieve Type Certification (September 2022) and Production Certification (November 2022) in the United States. The M2 is the only delivery drone, to date, to be granted a second Type Certificate approval. The aircraft underwent a rigorous FAA evaluation process by which it proved airworthy and eligible for scaled commercial delivery operations.
Matternet is committed to evaluating the ever-evolving ecommerce and Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) delivery markets and availing itself of opportunities apt to encourage mass adoption of drone delivery and drive the industry forward. The company has established a global footprint through strategic partnerships and groundbreaking operations. The amendment to the M2’s Type Certification furthers Matternet’s aspiration to expand its customer base.
The updated version of the M2 aircraft is in production and will be made immediately available. Matternet continues to work on surmounting regulatory hurdles for purpose of facilitating the proliferation of drone delivery networks. The company continues to explore and scale operations throughout the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
In addition to being the first UAS concern to be granted FAA standard Type- and Production Certification, Matternet was the first company to be granted authorization to operate commercial BVLOS drone-deliveries over cities in Switzerland, and the first to launch routine revenue-generating drone-delivery operations in the U.S. Matternet is currently partnered with UPS and Ameriflight, both of which have received FAA approval to operate the Matternet M2 drone under Part 135 of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
More News
Option Approach An approach requested and conducted by a pilot which will result in either a touch-and-go, missed approach, low approach, stop-and-go, or full stop landing. Pilots >[...]
"Emirates is already the world's largest Boeing 777 operator, and we are expanding our commitment to the program today with additional orders for 65 Boeing 777-9s. This is a long-t>[...]
(Pilot) Reported That There Was A Sudden And Violent Vibration Throughout The Airplane That Lasted Several Seconds Analysis: The pilot was returning to his home airport at an altit>[...]
“This recognition was evident during the TBMOPA Annual Convention, where owners and operators clearly expressed their satisfaction with our focus on customer service, and enc>[...]
Overhead Maneuver A series of predetermined maneuvers prescribed for aircraft (often in formation) for entry into the visual flight rules (VFR) traffic pattern and to proceed to a >[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (11.19.25): Option Approach
See All