Kawasaki Motors and Dronamics Announce Strategic Partnership to Set a New Standard in Aviation Engines
- astoitsev
- Sep 18
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 10
The two companies begin collaboration on aero piston engine integration, with Dronamics named among Kawasaki Motors’ strategic partners in its renewed focus on aviation propulsion systems.
Hyogo, Japan and Sofia, Bulgaria - 18 September 2025 – Kawasaki Motors, a global leader in engine, motorcycle and powersports production, announced a strategic partnership with Dronamics, a world-leading manufacturer of civilian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The collaboration focuses on the development of Kawasaki’s aero piston engines for diverse aviation applications and their integration into Dronamics’ flagship Black Swan platform – a civilian unmanned cargo aircraft capable of transporting 350kg at a distance of 2,500km.
The long-term collaboration leverages the complementary expertise of Kawasaki Motors, a manufacturer of various powersports products, in engine innovation, and Dronamics in UAV design, manufacturing, and operations. The partnership will see both companies cooperate across the full lifecycle from engine development to testing. This includes R&D and integration engineering, flight testing and validation on Dronamics’ civilian cargo UAV, the Black Swan, aiming to set a new standard in aviation propulsion.
"This strategic partnership with Kawasaki Motors marks a significant step forward in unmanned aviation technology. As an R&D partner, we are more than adopting Kawasaki Motors’ advanced aero piston engines – we are collaborating to shape the future of aircraft performance. The fact that Kawasaki Motors has chosen our Black Swan cargo drone platform for their renewed focus on aviation propulsion is a true honor for us and a testament to the technology leadership our team at Dronamics has built over the past decade."
Konstantin Rangelov, Co-Founder and CTO, Dronamics
The collaboration strengthens Dronamics’ ties with Japanese industry, as the carbon fiber used in its Black Swan drone already originates from Japan. It also unlocks the path for a fully Japan-built version of the Black Swan, designed for the Japanese market serving not only civilian cargo transport, but also disaster relief, emergency resupply, firefighting and other civil protection missions.
“Partnering with Dronamics represents an exciting milestone in Kawasaki Motors’ renewed commitment to aerospace innovation. By combining our long expertise in engine development with Dronamics’ pioneering UAV technology, we aim to deliver propulsion systems that redefine performance and sustainability in unmanned and general aviation aircraft.”
Hiroshi Tomomori, Managing Executive Officer, Group Manager, Aviation Systems Group, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd.
Kawasaki Motors, a member of the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, is renowned for its high-performance motorcycles. The company draws on long engineering and manufacturing expertise, as well as its heritage in aviation engineering. Dronamics’ know-how in aerospace innovation, including the design, manufacturing and operation of long-range, high-payload cargo drones, will help accelerate time-to-market for Kawasaki Motors’ next-generation propulsion systems, including applications beyond UAVs.
The advanced engine technology is expected to enhance aircraft performance and sustainability, further boosting the Black Swan’s market-leading combination of payload capacity, range, speed and cost efficiency.
About Dronamics
Dronamics is a leading developer and operator of large, long-endurance drones for logistics and civil protection use. Dronamics designs, builds and operates a proprietary cargo drone platform called the Black Swan - a high-payload, long-range drone that can carry 350 kg (770 lb) at a distance of 2,500 km (1,550 mi) up to 80% faster, 50% cheaper and with up to 60% lower emissions than alternative modes of transport, including airfreight. This proven technology with unique capabilities enables same-day logistics and can serve in a wide-range of critical civil protection missions, including search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, aerial firefighting, among others, and truly enabling the Whole Altitude Economy.
Dronamics is Europe’s first licensed cargo drone airline and the first to be recognized by IATA and ICAO.
Dronamics is co-funded by the European Union under the prestigious European Innovation Council, Europe’s flagship innovation program.
About Kawasaki Motors
Kawasaki Motors started full-scale production of motorcycles more than half a century ago. Its first motorcycle engine was designed using technical know-how gained from the development and production of aircraft engines. Kawasaki’s entry into the motorcycle industry was driven by a constant pursuit of technological innovation. Over the years, numerous Kawasaki models have helped shape the market, and in the process have created enduring legends defined by their unique engineering, power, design and riding pleasure. In the future, Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. is committed to maintaining and advancing these strengths, which will surely give birth to new legends.