Oman inaugurates the locally assembled “Sahm” aircraft

The unmanned aircraft “Sahm” was inaugurated as part of the “Sky Bridge” event, which was held at the Military Technological College (MTC).

The event was sponsored by Engineer Said bin Hamood bin Said Al Mawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology and marks an unprecedented national achievement. It unveiled a heavy cargo aircraft fully assembled in the Sultanate of Oman. The aircraft features advanced operational capabilities that place Oman at the forefront of the regional logistics landscape.

The first practical demonstration of the launch involved the aerial delivery of a consignment of medicines and medical supplies weighing 100 kilograms. The flight covered a distance of nearly 100 kilometres, departing from the Military Technological College and arriving at Jabal Al Akhdar.

The aircraft successfully overcame challenging mountainous terrain and flew over valleys. This demonstrated its capability to connect remote areas through a fast and secure supply line.

The success of this mission (100 kg over 100 km) provides immediate practical proof of the inherent capabilities of the “Sahm” aircraft. It is designed to carry out larger missions, with a maximum payload of up to 250 kilograms and a flight range of up to 300 kilometres. This qualifies it to conduct long range strategic logistics operations under various conditions.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Harthi, Chief Executive Officer of the Ibn Firnas Drone Center, explained that this technical achievement was assembled using Omani expertise and skills. It translates innovation from theory into a tangible reality that serves the health and logistics sectors.

Mr Al Harthi added that the successful test flight to Jabal Al Akhdar is only the beginning. The “Sahm” aircraft has capabilities that allow it to cover longer distances and carry heavier loads. This reflects the progress Oman is making in localising the unmanned aircraft industry and building an integrated ecosystem for future technologies. He noted that through the “Sky Bridge” project the Ibn Firnas Center aims to localise the manufacture of advanced aircraft and establish a national production base in the Sultanate of Oman.

The launch ceremony was attended by Dr Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defence, along with a number of commanders, senior officers and chief executive officers.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.