Monterey Bay Leads Charge In Us Drone Flight Corridor Network
The Monterey Bay Economic Partnership (MBEP) has secured a significant investment of $7.4 million to …
08. September 2025
Drones Set To Revolutionize Us Logistics By 2028
The Future of Delivery Drones in U.S. Logistics: A Game-Changer by 2028?
A recent survey conducted by Tech.co reveals nearly 1 in 5 U.S. logistics businesses believe delivery drones will be the most disruptive technology in the next three years. The survey, which polled 264 U.S. transport and shipping professionals in July 2025, shows a significant shift in attitudes towards drone technology. While only 7% of respondents currently use drones for deliveries, a whopping 17% expect them to disrupt their operations in the near term.
The proposed rule from the U.S. government on routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations is expected to simplify the process of operating drones beyond visual line of sight, enabling companies like Amazon Prime Air, Wing, and Zipline to deliver packages across neighborhoods, much less entire cities. The FAA’s Part 108 proposal builds on years of industry pressure, pilot programs, and public comments.
Part 108 proposes a standardized, permanent framework for BVLOS operations, promising to simplify the process of operating drones beyond visual line of sight. This will enable companies to scale drone delivery more efficiently and effectively. With over 350,000 commercial deliveries globally, Wing has established itself as a leader in drone delivery. The company operates drones in various locations, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area, where customers can order items such as coffee, prescriptions, and small household items for fast and efficient delivery.
Wing’s hybrid design allows its drones to hover like a helicopter but also fly like a fixed-wing aircraft, providing longer range and greater stability. The company has partnered with Walmart and other retailers to expand its reach, making it one of the most nimble players in the drone delivery space.
Zipline, another prominent player, has been delivering medical supplies, vaccines, and blood in developing countries such as Rwanda and Ghana since 2014. Its drones have logged millions of flight hours and saved countless lives by providing faster-than-truck or motorbike deliveries. Zipline recently expanded to the U.S., partnering with health systems like Intermountain Healthcare in Utah and Novant Health in North Carolina.
Zipline’s newest platform, P2 Zip, is designed for precision home delivery using a small, quiet drone that can lower packages on a tether with remarkable accuracy – down to a backyard table or porch step. The company’s expansion into consumer deliveries positions it as one of the most credible contenders to disrupt logistics.
The driver shortage has been a persistent problem in the U.S. logistics industry, with 24% of survey respondents citing workforce shortages as their biggest pain point. Last-mile delivery is particularly expensive and accounts for more than half of total shipping costs in many cases. Drones could offer a game-changing solution by handling lightweight, urgent goods faster and cheaper than vans, reducing reliance on drivers for short-haul trips, and providing a sustainable alternative that cuts emissions.
“A technology like delivery drones could positively transform last-mile delivery in particular, which is notoriously complex and costly,” said Aaron Drapkin, Tech.co’s content manager. When 17% of an entire industry calls drones the disruptive tech to watch, that’s not just hype – it’s a signal.
As the drone industry continues to evolve, expect patchy deployments, cautious optimism, and the occasional fiery drone headline. However, with the proposed rule on BVLOS operations and growing interest from logistics companies, the stage is set for delivery drones to become an integral part of U.S. logistics by 2028.
Delivery drones will undoubtedly leave their mark on the industry as they transform last-mile delivery, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. Companies like Wing and Zipline are pushing the boundaries of drone technology, and the U.S. logistics landscape will never be the same again.