“To assist military logistics operations, Japan is in discussions with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) regarding the possible purchase of the K-RACER drone.
Following a successful 2024 demonstration in which the drone automatically loaded and unloaded cargo, the military expressed an interest in the technology, a business representative told Australian Defence Magazine.
Since then, KHI has allegedly engaged in several conversations with the Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency and different divisions of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).
The K-RACER is a rotorcraft-style drone that is capable of carrying 100 kilograms (220 pounds) of cargo at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters (9,842 feet), making it ideal for use in Japan’s mountainous regions.
It has the same 998cc Kawasaki Ninja H2R four-cylinder engine that powers Kawasaki’s high-performance bikes.
It also includes a seven-meter (23-foot) airframe with a foldable tail, making it suitable for conventional 20- or 40-foot (6- and 12-meter) shipping containers.
