U.S. and China Are Jockeying for Drone Supremacy on Mount Everest

The U.S. is promoting Freefly Systems, an American heavy-lift drone manufacturer, to supply logistics on Mount Everest, challenging China's DJI.

China's DJI has a head start: through Nepali partner Airlift Technology, its FlyCart 100 drone has delivered thousands of pounds of supplies and hauled over 6,000 pounds of refuse this climbing season.

U.S. special envoy Sergio Gor demonstrated a Freefly drone at Everest base camp, calling it the finest American technology.

The drone race on Everest carries geopolitical weight as Beijing increases investment in Nepal and the U.S. has designated DJI a Chinese military company.

Drones reduce the dangerous burden on Sherpa porters by transporting supplies and trash between base camp (17,500 ft) and camp 2 (19,900 ft), and a DJI survey drone mapped the Khumbu Icefall.