Hercules

France-headquartered Drone Volt has unveiled its Hercules 100 heavy-lift cargo drone, combining an aluminium-and-carbon chassis with a payload capacity of up to 100 kilogrammes (kg). Introduced in flight at the UAV Show in Bordeaux on October 9, 2026, the foldable octocopter is designed for industrial logistics, civil protection, firefighting and defence. Designed and assembled in France, the aircraft marks the company’s move from the 25 kilogrammes class to a 100 kilogrammes payload platform.

Aluminium and carbon highlight the design

The Hercules 100 has a maximum take-off weight of 197 kg. It weighs 52 kg without batteries and 97 kg with its battery pack, leaving capacity for a full 100 kg payload. Its chassis combines aluminium and carbon fibre, with a wheelbase of 3,300 mm. When folded, the drone measures 1,660 × 1,060 × 720 mm and can fit inside a pick-up truck.

Drone Volt has previously used an aluminium-and-carbon combination in its Hercules range. Launched in 2018, the Hercules 20 was rated for a 25 kg payload and featured anodised aluminium fasteners with an all-carbon frame.