Phase 0 Technology Demonstration
Phase 1 Safety & Feasibility Testing
Phase 2 Measuring Effectiveness
Phase 3 Expanding Impact

Country

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Year Flights Began

2020

Contact Organization

VillageReach

Evidence Generated

Total # of successful flights

377

# of Months of Sustained Flights

5

Average # of Flights Per Month Carrying Payload

75

Average Flight Distance Achieved

47.9 km

Type of flight permission secured

  • No permission required
  • VLoS
  • BVLos
  • Other – see full data set

Location of Flight Permission

  • Site specific permission
  • Broad geographic permission
  • Other – see full data set

Average Payload Carried per Flight

1.04 kg

Average Flight Speed

100.8 km/h

Estimated Population Served By Flight Operations

528,668

Duration of flight permission

  • One-time
  • Limited duration
  • Unlimited duration
  • Other - see full data set

Results measured

  • Operations and financing models
  • Health outcomes or impact
  • Operational costs
  • Supply chain performance

References to Findings

Related Project Phases

Implementation Details

Status of Project

Ongoing

Contact Person

Olivier Defawe
olivier.defawe@villagereach.org

Other Partners

DRC Ministry of Health and Swoop Aero

Payload

Immunization products, lab samples, HIV and TB medicines, supplies

Geographic Scope

3 drone hubs supplying 70 health facilities in Equateur province, of which 25 are drone landing sites

Funding Source

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The McGovern Foundation, Gavi, Crown Family Philanthropies

Drone Technology

Drone Supplier

Swoop Aero

Model Name

Kookaburra

Method of Flight

VTOL fixed wing

Propulsion

Electric motor

Power Source

Battery

Payload Capacity

3.0 kg
19 x 12 x 9 cm

Maximum flight time with full payload in still air

minutes

Radio Links

Satcom

Delivery method

Landing

Role

Delivery & collection

Are major repairs possible on-site?

Yes, with 3D printer