IRYDA Plus – New Generation Unmanned Defense System (C-UAS).

IRYDA Plus is a state-of-the-art kinetic anti-drone system (C-UAS) being developed by a consortium of MBF Group S.A., Squadron Sp. z o.o. (ASE Group) and the Polish Industrial Lobby. The project was developed in response to the rapid increase in the use of drones on modern battlefields and the growing need to defend strategic state and civilian infrastructure. Its goal is to develop a Polish unmanned interceptor aircraft capable of neutralizing all types of UAVs, including circulating munitions and drone swarms. IRYDA Plus combines military solutions, systems engineering and operational expertise of specialists to create technology that has a real impact on the security of the country and allies.

Mission and objectives of the project

IRYDA Plus is designed as a fast, maneuverable and cost-effective platform that enables airspace patrol and real-time threat interception. The system combines traditional air combat logic with automation based on artificial intelligence algorithms to track and combat low-altitude maneuvering targets. Its role is to complement classic OPL systems, especially in scenarios where the use of surface-to-air missiles is not economically or operationally justified.

Development within a strategic consortium

The IRYDA Plus concept is the result of combining the competencies of three entities: MBF Group S.A. as business and organizational leader, Squadron Sp. z o.o. as a technology partner and PLP as an expert-scientific resource. The Consortium Agreement and accompanying documents define common goals, division of responsibilities and the system’s development path – from analysis and conceptual models, to the design of the shooting nacelle, to the functional prototype. This is the first initiative in Poland and one of the few in Europe in which the private and expert sectors co-create a complete hard-kill defense system.

IRYDA Plus system characteristics

IRYDA Plus is designed as an unmanned fighter capable of reaching speeds of 250-280 km/h and conducting 360-degree machine gun fire. It integrates sensors, satelliteless navigation systems, image analytics and AI responsible for assessing target behavior. The platform is modular – its components can be used in other projects, including reconnaissance systems or mobile support platforms. This makes it easy to scale the project and optimize costs over the life cycle of the system.

Economics of use – the new logic of air combat

Modern conflicts have shown that shooting down a cheap drone with a million-dollar-plus missile is economically unjustifiable. IRYDA Plus radically changes this logic – the cost of a single use of ammunition is several orders of magnitude lower, and the platform itself can fight multiple targets during a single flight. The system bridges the gap between expensive OPL missiles and soft-kill systems that fail against autonomous combat drones. For this reason, IRYDA Plus is an attractive solution for both military customers and security services responsible for protecting strategic facilities.

Economic and industrial importance

The development of the IRYDA Plus system has a key impact on the development of Poland’s high-tech economy. The project involves manufacturing plants, R&D centers, technical universities and electronics companies, strengthening the country’s industrial potential. The consortium assumes far-reaching localization of production, which minimizes supply chain risks and increases economic resilience. The system also has export potential, especially in Central and Eastern European countries, the Balkans, the Middle East and regions looking for cost-effective C-UAS systems.

ESG aspect – responsible defense technology

IRYDA Plus addresses security needs while maintaining environmental and social responsibility. The system reduces the use of high-emission missile effectors, and the modular design allows for repairs and upgrades instead of a short wear cycle. The project engages national specialists, creates jobs and improves technical competence. In addition, MBF Group, as a public company, operates the project in accordance with compliance, corporate governance and regulatory transparency standards.

Applications of IRYDA Plus

The system can be used in border protection, military base cover, critical infrastructure security, support for NATO operations, stabilization missions, port and airport security. IRYDA Plus is designed as a universal solution, capable of operating in both military environments and Homeland Security tasks.

Development stages and milestones

According to Consortium documents, the project is being carried out in three stages: the first includes construction of a demonstrator and ground testing of the modules; the second is the creation of a prototype version; the third is flight testing and validation of operational readiness. The consortium aims to build the first platform capable of real-world operations within 2-3 years, putting the project at the forefront of European C-UAS initiatives.

Summary

IRYDA Plus is a Polish technology with global ambitions that fits in with the strategic defense needs of NATO and the EU. The MBF Group – Squadron – PLP consortium project has the potential to become one of the most important next-generation defense systems, combining economy of use, efficiency, mobility and technological responsibility. The system is being developed in Poland, using domestic engineering capabilities, and provides the foundation for the development of future air combat solutions and C-UAS programs.