The Sultanate of Oman has inaugurated the indigenously assembled ‘Sahm’ unmanned aerial vehicle during the ‘Sky Bridge’ event, hosted at the Military Technological College (MTC), marking a major milestone in national drone and logistics innovation.
The ceremony was held under the auspices of Eng. Said Hamoud Al Maawali, Oman’s Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and was attended by Dr. Mohammed Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary-General of the Oman Ministry of Defense, along with senior leaders, high-ranking officers, and chief executives.
The launch of ‘Sahm’ cargo drone 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 Sahm involved an aerial dispatch of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies weighing 100 kilograms. The consignment traversed a distance of approximately 100 kilometers, departing from the Military Technological College and arriving at the Al Jabal Al Akhdar (the Green Mountain) highlands.
The Sahm 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 successful 100-kg, 100-km mission confirms the Sahm drone’s capabilities, with the platform designed to carry payloads of up to 250 kilograms and operate over ranges of up to 300 kilometres for long-distance strategic logistics.
Image credits: ONA | Cropped by GBN
Mohammed Abdullah Al Harithy, Chief Executive Officer of the Ibn Firnas Center for Drones, elucidated that this technological feat was realized through Omani craftsmanship and expertise, transmuting innovation from theoretical concepts into a concrete asset for the healthcare and logistics sectors.
Al Harithy further stated that, “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.”
The CEO noted that the announcement of the ‘Sky Bridge’ project, through which the Ibn Firnas Center seeks to localize sophisticated aircraft production and institute a national manufacturing foundation within the Sultanate of Oman.
