ST Engineering unveils 600-kg cargo drone, targets commercial service by 2028
ST Engineering has unveiled its largest unmanned cargo aircraft, sharpening its push into commercial drone logistics for hard-to-reach areas.
The new DrN-600 was presented during a media preview ahead of the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 1. The aircraft was co-developed with U.S.-based electric aircraft maker Air Inc. It is aimed at last-mile delivery missions in places where conventional transport links are weak or unavailable, including islands and mountainous regions. ST Engineering said the drone has an eight-meter wingspan, a maximum take-off weight of 600 kilograms and a payload capacity of up to 100 kilograms. Its front-loading cargo bay is designed for standardized pallets, a configuration intended to speed loading and unloading for time-sensitive shipments.
The aircraft is powered by lithium polymer batteries and has a flight range of 70 to 100 kilometers per trip. It uses a vertical take-off and landing design with multiple rotor assemblies for lift, combined with a narrow wing and twin vertical tails for more efficient forward flight. That layout allows the aircraft to operate without a runway while preserving the cruise performance needed for short regional cargo routes. The platform is positioned for the delivery of critical supplies where roads, ports or regular air links are limited.
The launch also marks a broader expansion of ST Engineering’s unmanned aircraft portfolio as the company moves beyond smaller pilot programs. ST Engineering has been developing unmanned aircraft systems since 2018. In January 2026, it partnered with Grab on a drone food delivery trial in Tanjong Rhu across the Kallang River. In 2020, it also worked with Foodpanda to test drone delivery of meals to ships offshore. Those efforts focused on proving delivery concepts. The DrN-600 signals a move toward heavier payloads and more structured commercial logistics use cases.
Test flights are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026. Commercial operations are planned for 2028, subject to regulatory approval. If the program stays on schedule, the DrN-600 could help establish a viable model for large-drone cargo services in underserved markets where traditional logistics remain slow, costly or impractical.