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German defense electronics firm Hensoldt has tested a scaled demonstrator of its proposed High Altitude Drop Infiltrating System (HADIS) disposable autonomous supply glider.
A German Air Force Airbus A400M airlifter dropped a one-third scale demonstrator of the HADIS last fall, Hensoldt says. The trial demonstrated both the deployment process using parachute extraction and waypoint navigation during guided flight. Hensoldt says the trial has cleared the way for further development, with a full-scale demonstrator expected to fly by year’s end. HADIS uses a flying wing configuration with a fuselage that serves as a cargo box that carries the payload.
HADIS features an 8-m (26-ft.) wingspan with a 16:1 glide ratio that would allow it to carry up to 500 kg (1,100 lb.) of payload up to 120 km (75 mi.).
Hensoldt says the primary role of HADIS will be to supply special forces operating behind enemy lines. Using a glider allows the transport aircraft to operate outside missile engagement zones.
The deployment concept envisions several HADIS systems being dropped and flying in a swarm formation to either common or separate landing points, Hensoldt officials say.
HADIS was conceptualized in 2024 as part of a self-financed innovation project and had already been successfully deployed from smaller transport aircraft prior to the A400M test.
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