Urban-Air Port and Drone Evolution Announce Strategic Defence Partnership to Revolutionise Global UAV Operations
London, UK – 13th May 2025 – Urban-Air Port (UAP), a global leader in advanced UAV launch infrastructure, has partnered with Drone Evolution, a UK-based innovator in First Person View (FPV) and autonomous delivery UAVs, to deliver transformative defence capabilities for modern warfare.
This collaboration introduces the DBx-A1, a cutting-edge UAV logistics and launch system designed to enable rapid, secure, and scalable deployment of mission-critical drones in contested environments. The DBx-A1 supports both reusable and one-way strike UAVs, streamlining operations for small-unit tactics and theatre-wide missions. By integrating launch, charging, maintenance, repair, and mission coordination into a mobile platform, the system minimises personnel exposure, accelerates operational tempo, and ensures dominance in UAV-driven warfare.
Revolutionising UAV Deployment for Global Defence
The proliferation of low-cost, agile UAVs and swarm tactics has outpaced traditional defence systems, exposing forces to unprecedented aerial threats. Current logistics struggle to scale UAV operations, leading to delays and vulnerabilities. UAP’s DBx-A1 addresses these challenges with a mobile, integrated platform that transforms chaotic forward deployments into precise, efficient operations. Comparable to upgrading from a dirt airstrip to a state-of-the-art airbase, it reduces launch times, enhances mission reliability, and scales seamlessly across operational scope and terrain.
“Mass UAV deployment in high-threat environments is logistically complex and exposes war fighters to risk. The DBx-A1 delivers secure, rapid, and repeatable launch capabilities, ensuring mission success in dynamic battlespaces.”
Urban-Air Port’s DBx-A1 - UAV Launch & Logistics Defence-Tech Compatible with all Standard Palletised Load Systems.
Key Features of the DBx-A1:
Mobile Forward Operating Bases (FOBs): Enables covert, rapid UAV launches from frontline positions.
Integrated Operations: Combines launch, charging, MRO and mission coordination for autonomous and FPV UAVs.
Scalable Design: Supports small squads to large-scale operations, adaptable to global defence needs.
Stealth and Security: Minimises detection and counters jamming/hacking threats for ISR and strike missions.
Agnostic platform: Scalable to support a wide array of UAVs and compatible with any standard Palletised Load System vehicle.
“The DBx-A1 closes critical gaps in UAV logistics, delivering a decisive edge through secure, scalable, and covert drone swarm operations for ISR and strike missions. Partnering with Drone Evolution, we’re integrating cutting-edge UAV and logistics solutions that redefine defence capabilities worldwide, empowering forces to dominate evolving battlespaces with precision and speed.”
Drone Evolution’s UAV portfolio including RUNNER (far right) their 20km range 5kg payload UAV.
“Our collaboration with UAP streamlines autonomous and FPV UAV deployment, reducing risk and enhancing operational efficiency. By integrating our SCIMITAR and RUNNER systems with the DBx-A1, we’re delivering cutting-edge solutions that strengthen global security, consistent with our mission to secure the supply chain for UAVs by building and manufacturing in the UK.”
The new memorandum of understanding between UAP and Drone Evolution will amplify both companies’ ability to scale their innovative products and services through integrated, cutting-edge capabilities. UAP seeks to cement its position as a global leader in UAV logistics infrastructure for defence applications.
A Global Solution for Modern Warfare
As UAV dominance becomes central to military success, the UAP-Drone Evolution partnership positions both companies to export British innovation worldwide. The DBx-A1 enhances situational awareness, precision strikes, and force protection, countering the rapid evolution of aerial threats. This collaboration underscores a commitment to building safer, more resilient defence ecosystems through advanced technology.
Urban-Air Port leads in advanced infrastructure for UAVs and hybrid VTOL aircraft, providing secure, scalable, and mobile launch systems for global defence and commercial operations.
Drone Evolution designs advanced FPV and autonomous UAVs, including the SCIMITAR, SENTINEL and RUNNER systems, optimised for defence, logistics, and critical infrastructure protection.
About Urban-Air Port®
Aviation & Defence Technology | World’s most advanced, patented infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility.
Urban-Air Port is a cutting-edge aerospace, robotics, and air mobility platform driving 21st-century defence and aerospace innovation. Harnessing decades of expertise in drones, aviation, and infrastructure, it delivers unrivalled solutions for global defence and aerospace markets.
Its defence-focused DBx-A1, launching in 2025, offers covert, portable, and automated infrastructure to support tactical frontline operations. Designed to counter aerial surveillance and strikes, it enables small units to execute complex missions with enhanced tempo and resilience.
An award-winning leader in infrastructure, Urban-Air Port develops compact landing and charging systems for sustainable air transport, including passenger and cargo VTOL air taxis and autonomous drones for civilian and defence use. Its mission is to electrify aviation by overcoming ground infrastructure limitations, creating a zero-emission ecosystem that slashes congestion and pollution in passenger, cargo, and defence transport.
Recognised as a global leader in Advanced Air Mobility, Urban-Air Port’s patented vertiport technology delivers ultra-compact, high-capacity infrastructure, transforming cities into connected, cleaner hubs for a green economic future. Its solutions are optimised for electric and hybrid VTOL aircraft, ensuring safer, quieter, and more sustainable operations compared to competitors.
The “Vertical Airfield” technology compacts conventional airfields, enabling safe electric vertical take-off and landing at height, akin to an aircraft carrier. Urban-Air Port’s vertiports are 80% smaller than alternatives, featuring modular designs for scalable expansion, maximised eVTOL throughput, and integrated energy storage for superior performance and passenger experience.
The Air-One project in Coventry, launched in April 2022 with UK Government Research and Innovation funding, marked the world’s first fully operational vertiport in a dense urban setting. It hosted over 15,000 visitors and 150 successful flights within Coventry’s complex urban airspace and airport restriction zone.
Backed by global partners like Supernal (Hyundai Motor Group) and Directors of M7 Real Estate (Oxford Properties), Urban-Air Port’s team of aeronautical engineers and aerospace experts brings experience from Airbus, Foster + Partners, Arup, BAA, McKinsey, Hyundai Motor Group, Vertical Aerospace, EASA, NATS, Qatar Airways, and elite military units like US Special Forces and the British Army.
Visit www.urbanairport.com for more information and follow us on LinkedIn.
Investors: invest@urbanairport.com
About Drone Evolution Ltd
Drone Evolution was founded by John Young, Clayton Earney and Toby Townrow in November 2018, bringing together their extensive experience in drones and service provision to safety critical environments in both public and private sectors.
Based in Caerphilly, South Wales, Drone Evolution is deploying its products and services across multiple sectors including construction, utilities and defence, emphasising safety, efficiency and extended operational capabilities.
Key to Drone Evolution’s product offering is their emphasis on UK manufactured sovereign technology. Their product range includes a range of premium FPV UAVs under the SCIMITAR banner, NAVIGATOR, a UK designed and built flight controller and Electronic Speed Controller stack for FPVs, RUNNER, an autonomous last-mile resupply drone carrying payload of 5kg over 20km or 1kg over 60km and SENTINEL a tethered quadcopter for Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance ISR.
Visit www.dronevolution.com for more information
