The Sultanate of Oman today inaugurated the indigenously assembled "Sahm" unmanned aerial vehicle during the "Sky Bridge" event hosted at the Military Technological College (MTC).
The ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology.
This milestone constitutes an unprecedented national accomplishment, revealing a heavy-lift cargo drone fully integrated within Oman. The aircraft boasts operational proficiencies that firmly establish Oman at the vanguard of the regional logistics arena.
The inaugural operational demonstration of this launch involved an aerial dispatch of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies weighing 100 kilograms. The consignment traversed a distance of approximately 100 kilometres, departing from the Military Technological College and arriving at the Al Jabal Al Akhdar (the Green Mountain) highlands.
The drone successfully traversed formidable mountainous topography and soared across valleys, delivering practical validation of its capacity to tether remote regions through a rapid and reliable supply conduit.
The triumph of this mission (100 kg / 100 km) stands as immediate and tangible attestation to the inherent capabilities of the "Sahm" drone. Engineered for more substantial operations, it features a maximum payload capacity of 250 kilograms and an operational range extending to 300 kilometres, thereby qualifying it for executing strategic, long-distance logistical missions across diverse conditions.
Mohammed Abdullah Al Harithy, Chief Executive Officer of the Ibn Firnas Centre for Drones, elucidated that this technological feat was realised through Omani craftsmanship and expertise, transmuting innovation from theoretical concepts into a concrete asset for the healthcare and logistics sectors.
He further stated, "The successful trial voyage to Al Jabal Al Akhdar represents merely a commencement. The 'Sahm' drone possesses the latent potential to cover extended ranges and bear more substantial loads, mirroring the progressive strides the Sultanate of Oman is making in domesticating advanced unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturing and constructing a comprehensive ecosystem for future technologies." He noted the official announcement of the 'Sky Bridge' project, through which the Ibn Firnas Centre seeks to localise sophisticated aircraft production and institute a national manufacturing foundation within the Sultanate of Oman.
The launch ceremony was attended by Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Defence, alongside an assembly of senior leaders, high-ranking officers, and chief executives.
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