A UK-based startup has secured significant financial backing from MBDA, one of Europe’s leading defense firms. This investment is aimed at advancing the development of Hybrid Drones’ flagship product, the Hydra 400 heavy lift drone, which was first showcased by the British Army in 2023.
The Hydra 400 drone is designed to accommodate a wide range of payloads, including casualty evacuation pods, cargo, and weapon systems. With MBDA now as a shareholder, Hybrid Drones anticipates substantial growth in its weapons portfolio. The CEO of Hybrid Drones, Stephen Prior, expressed that the collaboration with MBDA is both a validation of their innovative approach to technology and a crucial opportunity for the company to bolster national defense capabilities while retaining a high-skilled workforce domestically.
Initially introduced as a versatile platform capable of deploying three Brimstone air-to-ground missiles, each weighing around 50 kilograms (110 pounds), the Hydra 400 is powered by a hybrid system that combines electric rotors with single spool jet turbines. This advanced design enables the drone to carry a maximum payload of 400 kilograms (882 pounds). Its compact dimensions facilitate easy transportation on flatbed trucks, and it can be assembled for flight in just six minutes.
Suzanne Jude, director of UK Sales and Business Development at MBDA, highlighted that innovation and the delivery of sovereign capabilities are intrinsic to MBDA’s mission. She emphasized that the investment in Hybrid Drones represents a logical progression in their ongoing collaboration, fostering the development of agile and pioneering small and medium enterprises within the defense sector. Jude pointed out that this investment not only supports a specific product but also contributes to the future of defense ecosystems, thereby strengthening competitive advantages in an increasingly complex global landscape.
