U.S.-Made Cargo Drone Handed Over to Armed Police Force for Flood Relief Operations

Dragon Media Correspondent

Kathmandu — U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Urbom, Public Affairs Chief Mike Harker and Regional Security Officer Will Vaughn joined the Armed Police Force, Nepal and Seven Summit Treks today for the handover of a U.S.-made Freefly Alta X Gen2 commercial cargo drone.

The Armed Police Force will use the drone to help deliver essential relief supplies to flood-affected communities where access has been severely limited by Nepal’s difficult terrain. The technology is expected to support faster delivery of critical supplies to areas where roads have been damaged or conventional transportation remains difficult.

Seven Summit Treks had previously tested the drone on Ama Dablam under the U.S. Embassy’s Ascent Summit program. During the trial, the drone successfully transported oxygen cylinders and climbing equipment between high-altitude camps under challenging mountain conditions.

The high-altitude testing in the Everest region demonstrated the practical potential of cargo drone technology in some of Nepal’s most difficult terrain. The experience is now being applied to disaster response and humanitarian relief operations.

The handover of the Alta X Gen2 cargo drone forms part of U.S. assistance to Nepal’s flood response. Additional support has also been provided to affected communities and families in the form of humanitarian, logistical, forensic, consular and other technical assistance.