Amazon drone pilot program takes off in U.K.

Amazon announced Monday it has partnered with the British government on a pilot program for its automated drone delivery system. Drones in the U.S. must not be out of their operators’ line of sight, making automated package delivery impossible here. Amazon would like to deploy an army of drones to deliver orders to customers in 30 minutes or less. The company’s Prime Air division already has a base in the U.K. and has been testing drones in the country for a while. Amazon also has drone pilot programs in Canada and the Netherlands. Amazon’s battery-powered drones weigh less than 55 pounds, can travel up to 55 mph, and fly under 400 feet. They can operate 10 miles beyond an operator’s line of sight.