// The FAA has authorized Amazon to deploy package drones beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
Amazon has received FAA clearance to expand the operational range of its Prime Air drones. This permission allows for the delivery drones to fly beyond the range of human sight. This development marks a significant milestone in Amazon’s ongoing efforts to achieve 30-minute product deliveries.
With regulatory obstacles overcome, Amazon plans to rapidly expand its drone operations in College Station, Texas. This expansion will facilitate the deployment of more drones and enable deliveries in densely populated areas situated at greater distances. The enhanced operations will utilize Amazon’s existing MK27 drone, capable of carrying packages weighing up to five pounds, equipped with FAA-approved onboard detect-and-avoid technology. Additionally, Amazon is developing a new, lighter MK30 drone capable of higher speeds and operation in adverse weather conditions.
Amazon’s recent FAA approval follows the closure of its testing facility in Lockeford, California, following a protracted approval process aimed at initiating customer deliveries. Currently, Amazon is in the process of establishing a new Prime Air hub in Tolleson, Arizona. This BVLOS clearance for Amazon comes subsequent to similar approvals granted to other drone delivery operators such as UPS, Wing, FedEx, and Zipline.
