Danish Acodyne develops 500kg payload autonomous eVTOL cargo aircraft.

Danish startup Acodyne has entered the unmanned logistics sector with plans for a family of heavy-lift, high-speed autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. These platforms are specifically aimed at the "middle-mile" logistics segment, bridging the gap between small, short-range delivery drones and traditional crewed cargo aviation. Acodyne emphasizes that its systems are designed for high cruise speed and the ability to operate from constrained environments, including helipads and clearings, leveraging true autonomy powered by its proprietary eThor artificial intelligence suite.

The core of the Acodyne design is a combination of vertical takeoff capability with an efficient fixed-wing configuration for forward flight. Crucially, the aircraft utilize proprietary ducted-fan electric motors instead of open propellers, a feature the company claims enhances safety during ground operations and facilitates higher cruise speeds. The performance specifications are ambitious: the aircraft are projected to achieve cruise speeds up to 450 kilometers per hour and offer a range of approximately 500 kilometers (75 minutes endurance) depending on the mission profile.

Acodyne has outlined three primary payload classes for its modular platform. The smallest variant, the E100/H100, handles up to 100 kilograms, while the mid-range E200/H200 targets 200 kilograms. The heavy-lift configuration, the E500/H500, is designed to transport payloads up to 500 kilograms. By focusing on heavy payloads and high speed, Acodyne aims to attract interest from commercial logistics providers, industrial transport operators, and defense organizations seeking unmanned resupply options, particularly in scenarios where moving hundreds of kilograms rapidly without exposing flight crews to risk is paramount.