Aspects include a system for transferring a payload between drones. The system includes a first drone having a first member and a first controller, the first member having a first coupling device on one end, the first member being configured to carry a payload, the first controller being configured to change a first altitude and orientation of the first drone. A second drone includes a second member and controller, the second member having a second coupling device on one end, the second member being configured to receive the payload, the second controller being configured to change a second altitude and orientation of the second drone. The controllers cooperate to change at least one of first and second orientations to operably engage the first coupling device to the second coupling device for transferring the payload from the first member to the second member.