According to information published by the Australian Defence Magazine (ADM) on May 27, 2025, Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is in advanced discussions with Japan’s Ministry of Defense regarding the possible acquisition of the K-Racer autonomous transport drone.
This unmanned aerial system, developed to meet modern logistical needs, gained recent attention following a successful demonstration during the Nankai Rescue 2024 exercise, conducted on January 13, 2025, at the Shima Total Sports Park in Mie Prefecture. Organized by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in collaboration with the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association (JUIDA), the exercise simulated a major earthquake in the Nankai Trough, one of the country’s most critical disaster scenarios. The K-Racer completed a fully automated cargo delivery mission without human intervention, transporting supplies to an isolated area and thereby demonstrating its applicability in emergency response operations.
The current X2 version of the K-Racer is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) helicopter-type drone specifically designed for logistics transport missions in challenging environments, both civilian and military. It features a main rotor with a 7-meter diameter and can carry payloads of up to 200 kilograms, setting a benchmark in its class. The platform can reach a top speed of approximately 140 km/h, with an operational range of over 100 kilometers and a flight endurance of at least one hour. It is designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 18 m/s, enabling use in adverse weather conditions. The drone is powered by a high-performance gasoline engine, a 998 cc inline four-cylinder derived from Kawasaki’s Ninja H2R motorcycle. This design choice allows Kawasaki to utilize its existing industrial supply chain for maintenance, production, and parts, thereby reducing logistical burdens and downtime.