The system named HYDRA-400 is designed according to vertical take-off and landing configuration (VTOL), allowing to carry large quantities of weapons, equipment or logistical supplies in military missions.
The project involves the European defense group MBDA, which is researching the possibility of integrating weapons for this platform.
According to developers, HYDRA-400 can carry a load of up to 400kg in one flight.
This capability helps the equipment to be suitable for many missions on the battlefield such as logistics supply, transporting goods between ships, supporting the final stage in the military supply chain, or evacuating casualties from dangerous areas.
A notable point of the system is its rapid deployment capability. Unmanned aerial vehicles can be transported by flat-barrel trucks to the combat area, then assembled and put into operation right at the scene.
This helps the military quickly establish automated transportation networks in infrastructure-constrained areas.
HYDRA-400 is developed by Hybrid Drones Ltd, a British enterprise specializing in manufacturing heavy unmanned aerial vehicles using hybrid technology between jet and electric motors.
MBDA is currently a shareholder of the company and is looking to turn this platform into a ready-to-fight solution.
According to Ms. Suzanne Jude, Senior Vice President in charge of Sales and Business Development at MBDA, the first flight of HYDRA-400 was an important milestone in the cooperation process between the two sides.
This is a very important development in our cooperation relationship with Hybrid Drones Ltd. Witnessing HYDRA-400 take off for the first time is proof of the innovation coming from the cooperation between defense technology businesses," Ms. Jude said.
The emergence of heavy transport drones such as HYDRA-400 is expected to change the way the military deploys logistics and supports the battlefield in the future.
