Amazon has announced the launch of its MK30 delivery drone, which has undergone safety and regulatory testing. The drone is designed to have double the range and half the noise of previous models.
According to a news release by Amazon, its Prime Air team developed the MK30 delivery drone over nearly two years, focusing on safety, reliability, and advanced perception systems. The drone includes features such as obstacle detection, redundant flight-critical systems, reduced noise levels, and the ability to operate in light rain.
The MK30 underwent 1,070 flight hours and over 6,300 flights, including testing for Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification. It received FAA approval in October, allowing it to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight with an onboard detect-and-avoid system. This development enables Amazon to work toward its goal of delivering 500 million packages globally by the end of the decade.
Prime Air is an Amazon initiative using autonomous drones for faster and more efficient delivery of lightweight items within 30 minutes over short distances. According to Amazon Jobs, the program supports a greener and safer approach while meeting customer demands and driving technological innovation. It also offers career opportunities in technical, operational, and support roles within a diverse work environment.
Amazon provides full-time employees with benefits including health, dental, and vision coverage; a 401(k) plan with company matching; life and disability insurance; restricted stock units; and an Employee Assistance Program. Additional benefits include paid time off, parental leave, adoption assistance, and the Career Choice program that covers 95% of tuition for hourly employees.
The company offers a range of services including online and in-person shopping; delivery of fresh produce; media distribution; devices like Alexa and Fire TV; cloud solutions through Amazon Web Services (AWS); logistics; customer service; and entertainment through platforms like Amazon Originals, Prime Video, and Audible.