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FLY-R, a French company specializing in rhomboid-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), has been awarded a contract by the DGA (French Defense Procurement Agency).
The contract is for the development of the R2-600, the largest model in FLY-R’s UAV range, as part of a request for offer for a low-cost Male UAV.
The rhomboid wing, characterized by its lozenge-like shape and lack of vertical surfaces, offers enhanced speed ranges and maneuverability compared to other wing designs. This aerodynamic characteristic allows rhomboid-wing aircraft to potentially double performance in speed, flight time, and payload for a given wingspan. Historically, the complexity of the rhomboid wing hindered operational development. However, recent advancements in aerodynamics, computational code, new materials, equipment, and propulsion have facilitated FLY-R’s innovative approach.
FLY-R is developing a series of UAVs with wingspans of 1.20 m, 1.50 m, 2.40 m, and 6.00 m. The R2-600, central to the DGA’s request for offer, is a hybrid-powered Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) UAV. It has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1,700 kg and is designed for flights up to 45,000 feet (approximately 15,000 meters) for missions exceeding 20 hours.
The R2-600 is suited for military applications, including surveillance of large areas, operations in hostile environments, and offensive missions due to its weapon-carrying capacity. It also offers the ability for remote launch from deployable infrastructure while maintaining a moderate cost to enable mass deployment.
Under the terms of the request for offer, FLY-R is required to demonstrate the R2-600’s operational flight capabilities before the end of 2026. This selection highlights FLY-R’s success in designing and developing these new aircraft types, attributed to its research and development efforts and collaboration with ONERA (French National Aeronautical Laboratory) and the Duqueine Group, a specialist in high-performance composite materials for aeronautics.
FLY-R is also engaged in discussions with defense contractors in the European Union and Middle Eastern countries as part of its international development strategy.
Laurent COLLET-BILLON, CEO of FLY-R, stated, “The current geostrategic context shows that drones have become essential components of military operations. FLY-R has been working for several years on rhomboid-wing UAVs, which are complex to build. The expertise of our teams has enabled us to take a major technological step forward by developing a complete range of these unmanned vehicles, including the R2-600 which, if it meets the requirements of the request for offer, will complete the French air arsenal with an easy-to-use and cost-effective machine.”
Rémi ALBERT, Deputy CEO of FLY-R, commented, “Being selected for this request for offer is a source of pride for our teams, and the achievement of years of research, development and testing. We would like to thank DGA for its confidence, as well as ONERA and the Duqueine Group for the quality of our partnership.”
Gilles DUQUEINE, President of the Duqueine Group, added, “The Duqueine Group is delighted to contribute to the manufacture of the first large-scale rhomboid UAV designed by FLY-R, which represents a remarkable innovation for aeronautics and MALE missions in particular.”
Franck LEFÈVRE, General Technical Director of ONERA, said, “FLY-R has proven expertise in rhomboid wing systems and a high degree of maturity in complex aeronautical systems. Rhomboid wing systems have demonstrated excellent aerodynamic and structural performance, with unique flying qualities and the ability to perform original maneuvers. The implementation of the rhomboid configuration in a MALE context seems to us to be highly relevant.”
FLY-R is chaired by Éric Thieulin, with an executive committee including Laurent Collet-Billon (CEO Strategy & Development), Rémi Albert (Deputy CEO Operations & Business), and François Varigas (CTO).
