Tamil Nadu’s Enlite Helicopters unveils the R3 drone chopper with a 70 kg payload, a 500 km range, and a set of trials in 2026.

A revolutionary leap in India’s cargo logistics is taking off from Tamil Nadu. Enlite Helicopters, a Tiruvallur-based startup, has unveiled the R3 unmanned cargo helicopter, designed to transform intercity delivery and defence logistics.
The R3 can carry up to 70 kg, cover 500 km on a single trip, and cruise at a top speed of nearly 200 km/h, completing city-to-city deliveries in about two hours. Powered by a fuel-based rotor system, it promises a flight time of three hours with a turnaround of just 10 minutes, significantly outpacing current electric drone capabilities.
Built with 70% indigenous components, the 4.5-meter-long and 200 kg aircraft is engineered for both courier runs and critical defence supply missions in areas unreachable by conventional vehicles.
The R3 is equipped with autonomous navigation, terrain-following, and multi-channel communications, including GPS, RF, 4G/5G, and SATCOM. Its single-rotor design enhances stability and allows it to withstand crosswinds of up to 70 km/h.
Enlite showcased the R3 at AeroDefCon 2025 in Chennai and plans to begin long-range trial flights by mid-2026. After bootstrapping around ₹2 crore, the company is now seeking fresh funding to scale operations.
This ambitious project marks a significant step toward high-speed, unmanned logistics solutions, positioning India as a key innovator in the future of aerial cargo transport.
Source: TOI