A prototype of the Amazon Prime Air MK30 delivery drone is now on permanent display at The Museum of Flight in Seattle.
The aircraft joins the museum’s Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAV) exhibit, which highlights drone developments dating back to the 1940s.
According to Amazon officials, the MK30 is a fully electric delivery drone designed to fly at speeds of more than 60 mph in temperatures ranging from below freezing to 110° Fahrenheit. The system uses proprietary detect-and-avoid technology that continuously scans surrounding airspace, enabling the aircraft to independently identify obstacles in flight and evaluate landing zones for hazards, according to company officials.
The MK30 was introduced to deliver packages weighing up to 5 pounds in 30 minutes or less. The FAA granted Prime Air an experimental airworthiness certificate in 2015 and Part 135 air carrier certification in 2020, clearing the way for commercial service that began in 2022.
The Museum of Flight is adjacent to King County International Airport/Boeing Field (KBFI) in Seattle.
For more information: MuseumOfFlight.org
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