Safran Engines to Power UVAD Falcon Supersonic Drone
Safran Power Units will supply two turbojet engines for the Falcon, a reusable supersonic aerial target built by UVAD Technologies.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Robotics
Safran Power Units and UVAD Technologies announced a partnership to supply two turbojet engines for the Falcon supersonic UAV. The Falcon is designed as an affordable, reusable supersonic aerial target following a successful 2026 ground testing campaign.
Why it matters
The Falcon is designed to support missile defence training required by armed forces, offering a potentially lower-cost option for training exercises. Its supersonic capability at low and medium altitudes is intended to simulate demanding threat profiles.
Each Falcon UAV is powered by two turbojet engines supplied by Safran Power Units, which enable supersonic speeds at low and medium altitudes. Engine thrust figures and performance specifications have not been disclosed, and flight testing is not scheduled until 2027.
The players
Safran Power Units
Safran Power Units is the propulsion arm of the French aerospace group Safran, which supplies engines for civil and military aircraft and unmanned systems.
UVAD Technologies Inc.
UVAD Technologies Inc. is the developer of the Falcon supersonic unmanned aerial vehicle and its autonomous flight system.
The details
The Falcon features a modular architecture and autonomous flight system, and one operator can oversee multiple drones at once. Its engines enable rapid deployment and recovery, and the program is intended to support more frequent, cost-effective training for air, naval and missile defence operators.
Timeline
2026: Ground testing campaign completed successfully
2027: Flight test phase scheduled to begin
Roadmap
Military training targets have long been expensive and single-use, making reusable designs a notable shift in how armed forces prepare for missile defence. The Falcon's supersonic reusable concept positions it as a cost-conscious alternative within this evolving segment of unmanned systems.
For the general public, the Falcon's direct impact is limited, as it is designed for military training rather than consumer use. Its reusable design could eventually influence how defence budgets fund training exercises for armed forces.
The takeaway
Reusable designs are reshaping how militaries approach costly training exercises, and the Falcon's 2027 flight test phase will show whether its lower-cost model delivers on that promise. Readers interested in autonomous defence systems can track progress as the program moves forward.
Further reading
Explore more on the Robotics developments shaping unmanned military systems worldwide.
