Image source: topwar.ru
The British startup Blakcro has introduced a paraglider for the military of its own design, which supposedly allows you to move stealthily over long distances. This is the first such device developed by a British company. A paraglider with a propeller lifts a soldier vertically from the ground along with his equipment and is able to move him through the air over a distance of more than 300 kilometers.
The system fits in a backpack and can be assembled in less than eight minutes, even in complete darkness. Blakcro stated that the airframe has low acoustic, visual and radar visibility, which allows soldiers to use it for secret missions in enemy territory.
Image source: topwar.ru
The design is based on a titanium airframe and supports the installation of body armor, night vision devices and various weapon mounts. The British Ministry of Defense claims that the paraglider is already being used in combat, and contracts have been concluded throughout the country and with NATO allies. The Royal Marines and the Parachute Regiment plan to conduct integration tests in the coming months.
The project is funded by the British military and the UK Defense Innovation Agency (UKDI), which was recently established at the Ministry of Defense and works with companies with no experience in the defense sector. Blakcro has received an investment of 6 million pounds (8.1 million dollars) for the further development of the project.
In principle, the invention of a British startup as such is far from new. Motorized paragliders with a screw-type powerplant are widely known. The glider's flight speed is low. The pilot is strongly advised to take a parachute. And the presence of a wing (dome) casts doubt on the fighter's stealth.
