Covert Military Paraglider Trials
UK Ministry of Defence to Trial Covert Foot-Launched Paragliders for Elite Troops
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Key Points
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The paraglider system can be packed into a case roughly the size of a large rucksack and assembled in under eight minutes, including in complete darkness.
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UK Defence Innovation is described by the MOD as its 'front door' for companies that have not previously worked with defence, helping Blakcro move from drawing board to deployment.
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The project is described as the UK's first foot-launched military paraglider.
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Blakcro was founded in 2023 and, according to reports, currently employs about 11 people.
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The paraglider’s propulsion is described as fan-driven with a low acoustic signature, suggesting an electric drive.
The UK Ministry of Defence will trial foot-launched powered paragliders made by Wiltshire startup Blakcro for covert military missions. Daily Mail reports the system packs into a rucksack-sized case and can fly soldiers up to 200 miles into enemy territory without needing runways or aircraft.
The MoD has invested about £6 million through UK Defence Innovation to develop the technology, which assembles in under eight minutes and features a quiet electric fan drive. Telegraph notes the paraglider is designed for Royal Marines and The Parachute Regiment to conduct covert insertions with reduced acoustic, visual and radar signatures.
Backpack-Sized System Ready for Field Testing
The paraglider system is Blakcro's breakthrough innovation: it fits inside a case roughly the size of a large rucksack. According to This Is Money, soldiers can assemble the entire system in under eight minutes, even in complete darkness. The compact design makes it ideal for rapid deployment in hostile environments.
Built around a UK-made titanium airframe, the glider carries body armor, night vision gear, and weapon mounts. Yahoo News reports the system is designed for soldiers to fly into battle on covert missions. The low acoustic signature suggests an electric fan-driven propulsion system that minimizes detection risk.
£6 Million Investment Bridges Startup to Deployment
Blakcro, founded in 2023 with about 11 employees, received £6 million in government funding through UK Defence Innovation. Head Topics explains the program acts as the 'front door' for companies new to defense work, helping Blakcro move from drawing board to real military deployment. The investment signals the government's push for domestic defense capability.
The funding accelerates the transition from prototype to operational testing. Trials are planned over the coming months through 2027. Officials note the technology is already in limited use with UK and NATO partners, validating its effectiveness and supporting broader allied defense strategies.
Covert Ops Get a New Edge in Mobility
The paraglider system enables individual air mobility without traditional logistics. Soldiers can launch from any flat terrain and travel up to 200 miles under their own power. Telegraph emphasizes this allows Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment to insert covertly into hostile territory, reducing exposure to enemy detection.
The technology's reduced visual, acoustic, and radar signatures make it ideal for stealth operations. By eliminating aircraft noise and bright engine signatures, soldiers gain tactical surprise. The trials will test real-world effectiveness in complex terrain and hostile conditions, shaping future military mobility doctrine.
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