In Russia, a concept of an unmanned amphibious aircraft with a modular cargo platform for transporting up to 700 kg of cargo has been invented. We are talking about a subsonic unmanned aerial vehicle of an airplane type, designed to work both from land and from water.
The key feature of the design is a removable cargo module with a sliding installation system. It forms the aerodynamic contours of the nose part of the aircraft and allows you to load cargo in advance, even before the arrival of the drone.
The module can be quickly installed or removed from the board using guides, a winch and locks, and access to the contents is provided by side doors. This simplifies the reloading and adjustment of the cargo placement after the module is installed on the aircraft.
The maximum payload reaches 700 kg, and the internal volume of the cargo compartment is about 5.5 m³. The design incorporates strain gauges that automatically determine the weight and centering of the cargo, and transmit data to the drone control system.
Loading and unloading are possible both at stationary terminals and in the field - using a loader, crane or hydroboard. From one to three personnel are required for operation.