Safran Power Units and UVAD Technologies Inc. have announced a partnership covering the propulsion system for the Falcon supersonic uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), the companies said. The Falcon will be powered by two turbojet engines supplied by Safran Power Units, which the companies describe as offering robustness, reliability and an extended lifespan beyond current industry standards.

Falcon is described as an affordable, reusable supersonic aerial target designed to support missile defence training for armed forces, with its architecture also offering potential for broader high-speed missions beyond simulating modern threats. Safran Power Units’ engines are intended to enable the Falcon to reach supersonic speeds at low and medium altitudes while ensuring rapid deployment and recovery, a level of performance the companies say allows for more frequent and cost-effective training sessions for air, naval and missile defence operators.

David Birkett, UVAD Technologies Inc. CEO, said: “We are particularly pleased to be entering into this partnership with Safran Power Units, a globally recognised expert in the field of high-performance and affordable turbojet engines. Our two companies share a common vision for high-performance, affordable defence systems capable of addressing the challenges of the future, particularly those posed by supersonic threats.”

Ghislaine Doukhan, Safran Power Units CEO, said: “We are excited to start this partnership with UVAD to provide the propulsion system for their Falcon drone. The choice of our engines will make a significant contribution to the Falcon’s capabilities in terms of supersonic flight, robustness, and cost-effectiveness.”

DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE

The companies say the collaboration combines UVAD’s innovation in aerospace and defence with Safran Power Units’ propulsion expertise, with the Falcon’s modular architecture and autonomous flight system intended to allow a single operator to oversee multiple drones simultaneously. Following a ground testing campaign in 2026, the programme is scheduled to enter its flight test phase in 2027, which the companies describe as an essential milestone towards operational deployment.