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European defense giant MBDA, which unites British, French, and Italian defense assets, announced investments in the promising Hydra 400 unmanned aerial vehicle, created by Hidradrons. It is a powerful octocopter, equipped with turbojet engines, capable of performing the functions of a combat platform.
According to the publication "Zatelegraf," the first field tests of this drone for the needs of the British army are planned for September 2025. The project has generated significant interest from the military, as it could potentially replace some functions of traditional combat aviation.
The Hydra 400 model was first presented to the public in 2023 at the Defense and Security Equipment International exhibition in London. The drone is positioned as a platform capable not only of delivering cargo but also carrying precision-guided weapons. Specifically, this refers to the integration of Bramstone anti-tank missiles, developed by the same MBDA.
MBDA joined the project financing, adding its own investments to the already collected capital, almost £1 million. This will allow the completion of a full-fledged prototype and transition to the active phase of testing and demonstrations.
The head of Hidradrons, a former military aviation technician, emphasized that five such drones are capable of equaling the firepower of one Apache combat helicopter. At the same time, the cost and risk to crew life are much lower.
Hydra 400 is powered by eight single-shaft turbojet engines, each generating 50 kg of thrust. In total, this provides the drone with a payload capacity of up to 400 kg, making it suitable for both strike missions and logistical operations. In addition, the drone has a modular design that allows changing the number of engines depending on the tasks set.
The company emphasizes that Hydra 400 will be an ideal solution for the modern battlefield. Fast, compact, armed, capable of operating where piloted equipment carries a high risk.
This MBDA investment demonstrates a general trend in the defense industry. More and more resources are being directed towards the development of heavy unmanned platforms, which can become a cheaper and safer alternative to traditional helicopters.
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