British troops could soon fly behind enemy lines without needing a plane or helicopter by using a machine small enough to fit inside a rucksack. A Ministry of Defence (MoD) backed UK start-up developed the country's first "foot-launched military paraglider system" which gives soldiers a way to enter hostile territory without a runway, helicopter or aircraft to drop them in.
Compact design and rapid assembly
The entire system folds into a case roughly the size of a large rucksack and can be assembled in less than eight minutes - even in complete darkness. Once ready, a soldier can launch by running into the air, using their own legs and the wind rather than a conventional aircraft.
The glider can travel up to 200 miles on its own power while carrying equipment including body armour, night vision kit and weapon mounts, the MoD says. It's also designed to be difficult to detect, helping troops make covert journeys into hostile territory.
MoD-backed development
The technology has been developed by Wiltshire-based start-up Blakcro, with around £6 million in backing from the MoD. The system is already in operational use, with contracts held across the UK and with NATO allies. Now the Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment are looking to trial the technology in the coming months.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: "With UK Defence Innovation supporting SMEs like Blakcro from the drawing board through to deployment, we are building a more resilient, homegrown defence supply chain and ensuring our armed forces receive the pioneering equipment that can give them the edge on the battlefield."
Growth and operational use
Blakcro was supported by the UK Defence Innovation, the MoD's "front door" for companies that have not previously worked with defence. Since receiving UKDI support, Blakcro has grown from three to 11 employees and now holds three prime contracts with the UK and with NATO allies.
Sam Wedgwood, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Blakcro, said: "From a UKDI success story perspective, we have very rapidly moved from base technology in 2024, through UKDI-supported rapid innovation, through to purchase, through to operational use by 2026."
"We could not have done that at this pace without the support we have received – not just the funding, but the commercialisation support and the access to the right people. UKDI kept telling us we were special. I think it's mutual."
