Safran turbojets to power Falcon supersonic UAV target

The two firms, Safran Power Units and UVAD Technologies, are teaming up to provide the propulsion for Falcon. Developers are building this supersonic uncrewed aerial vehicle to serve as a reusable target in missile-defense training. Two turbojet engines come from Safran. They are meant to let the aircraft fly faster than sound at low and medium altitudes, and to help crews launch and retrieve it quickly.

Falcon uses a modular architecture and an autonomous flight system. It is designed so that a single operator can oversee several aircraft at the same time during training scenarios. According to the companies, the target simulates fast-moving threats in air, naval and missile-defense exercises, and it could also be used for other high-speed missions.

Ground testing took place in 2026. Flight tests are planned to start in 2027.

Why it matters

Falcon is a reusable target, so its propulsion is tied to rapid deployment and recovery as well as to supersonic speed at low and medium altitudes. Those are the requirements the two Safran turbojets are intended to meet.

The target is aimed at air, naval and missile-defense training, where it is meant to stand in for high-speed threats. The autonomous flight system and the single-operator, multi-aircraft concept describe how the companies plan to run such exercises.

With ground testing completed in 2026 and flight testing planned for 2027, the engines move to airborne trials on Falcon next.