• ACSL acquired the first “Level 4” (beyond visual line-of-sight flight in a manned zone) Class1 UAS Type Certificate in Japan in March 2023 under the type certification system for unmanned aerial vehicles(drone), which was established in December 2022.
• ACSL applied for its second Level 4 Class1 UAS Type Certificate on June 27, 2024 for a new dedicated logistics drone, which has been jointly developed with Japan Post, with the aim of accelerating the social implementation of drones in the logistics field in the future.

ACSL Ltd. (Head Office: Edogawa-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Satoshi Washiya; hereinafter “ACSL”) announces that it applied for Level 4 Class1 UAS Type Certificate on June 27, 2024 for a new dedicated logistics drone, ACSL Type PF4-CAT3 (hereinafter “PF4-CAT3”), which is under joint development with Japan Post Co., Ltd. (hereinafter “Japan Post”).

In June 2021, ACSL made a capital and business alliance agreement with Japan Post and Japan Post Capital Co., Ltd., and has been working on the development of PF4-CAT3 (previously called “JP2”). In March 2024, ACSL conducted a “Level 3.5*” test delivery (demonstration using actual packages) in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture, in an effort to further improve weather resistance performance and reliability. Our application has now been accepted by the Civil Aviation Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, as we are now ready to prepare for the acquisition of Level 4 Class1 UAS Type Certificate.

Compared to the “ACSL Type PF2-CAT3” (currently the only Type 1 certified drone in Japan), the PF4-CAT3 has increased the size and weight of the payload and flight distance significantly, and has adopted a socially acceptable aircraft design. In addition, the design and specifications take into account actual logistics operations based on ACSL’s expertise in the logistics field and the experience of Japan’s only “Level 4” operation by the PF2-CAT3.

ACSL will continue to support the practical application of drone delivery by Japan Post, and will also collaborate with other businesses engaged in the use of drones to accelerate the social implementation of drones in the logistics field.

*Level 3.5
The conventional restricted access measures (placement of assistants and signs) required for Level 3 (unassisted visual flight in an unmanned zone) are eliminated, and the method of flight will facilitate the crossing of roads, railroads, etc. on the condition that digital technology (onboard cameras) is used, the pilot has an unmanned aircraft operator certificate, and insurance is obtained.

UAS type certification system for unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The UAS type certification system launched on December 5, 2022, and aims to ensure the safety and uniformity of the design and manufacturing process for the strength, structure, and performance of unmanned aircraft of a type intended to contribute to specific flights, in accordance with the Civil Aeronautics Law.

Comparison of Specs

Comments by Satoshi Washiya, Representative Director and CEO
ACSL has provided drones for various first-time flight challenges in Japan, including “Level 3” flights in 2018, “Level 4” and “Level 3.5” flights in 2023. Recently, Japanese drone market has been shifting to a new phase, with an increase in the number of drones that are capable of “Level 3” flights and the launch of “Level 3.5” in the logistics field in December 2023, further expanding the environment in which drones can be used. There is a significant difference in terms of operational design and efficiency between “Level3,” which is based on the premise of unmanned areas, and “Level 4,” which is based on the premise of flying over third parties. In Japan’s mountainous regions, there are many places where drone use can only be optimized at “Level 4”. Under the mission of “Liberate humanity through technology,” ACSL, as a leading Japanese drone manufacturer, will accelerate the social implementation of drones in the logistics field and contribute to the realization of “sustainable logistics” in Japan through the acquisition of PF4-CAT3 type certificate.

Please click  here for PDF