Description
UAVs are a mandatory asset for preparing and conducting military operations. Despite the gains they allow for conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions, UAVs suffer from major shortcomings in terms of operational deployment. Currently, fixed wing tactical drones are either electric with limited range or powered with internal combustion engines that are noisy and needs intensive maintenance. They also rely on a cumbersome catapult launcher for take-off, have no flight clearance over populated areas and limited resistance to harsh battlefield. HYBRID aims at bringing to the EU defence market a battlefield ready, long endurance and easy to use fixed-wing drone with vertical take-off and landing capability.

Goal
HYBRID aims to develop an electric hydrogen fuel cell-powered drone with state-of-the-art avionics, ruggedized into all kinds of threats and environments, equipped with an innovative automated video detection algorithm to reduce the operator workload. The differentiating factor of HYBRID is to offer all these features in an easy to use, compact package. First, partners will define the system’s overall architecture and derive the specifications of all sub-assemblies, subsystems, and components. Then, partners will implement Vertical Take-off and Landing capability, ruggedize the airframe, design high-end ruggedized electronics and object recognition features. In the end, the integration will be carried out to conduct a test campaign in real conditions with representative end-users.

Lead Partner
DELAIR

Partners involved
ALFATEC GROUP D.O.O., ISD LYSEIS OLOKRIROMENON SYSTIMATONANONYMOS ETAIREIA

Duration
01 December 2022 – 30 November 2025

Funding
€ 3,163,713.94

More information
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/projects-details/44181033/101102411/EDF

https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-07/Factsheet_EDF21_HYBRID.pdf