Urban-Air Port Partners with 42 Technology to Accelerate Mass Production of Pandora: A Game-Changing Defence Technology
Ricky Sandhu, Founder Urban-Air Port with Jon Spratley, CEO of 42T at DSEI last week
London, 15th September 2025 – Urban-Air Port (UAP), a global pioneer in advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) infrastructure, proudly announces its strategic partnership with 42 Technology (42T), a world-class product development and innovation consultancy, to drive the mass production of its revolutionary defence technology, Pandora.
This latest collaboration underscores UAP’s commitment to delivering unmatched, mission-critical capabilities to military customers, while building long-term value for investors through cutting-edge innovation and scalable production.
Pandora was launched last week as a breakthrough in UAV launch technology as part of the UK Ministry of Defence Capability Showcase at DSEI UK 2025 (London, 9 to 12 September). Pandora is an autonomous, containerised and scalable system designed to support any size of operation, and is currently available in two configurations: Pandora P140, a soldier-borne version for small-scale missions, and Pandora 6240, a Palletised Load System (PLS) compatible version for mass deployment.
The system offers unparalleled performance and flexibility for improved operational efficiency and streamlined logistics. It reduces UAV launch times by up to 80%, it’s compatible with any UAV and can be integrated into any vehicle.
Pandora installed at the rear of the British Army’s Jackal adding new UAV capability to their existing fleet.
UAP selected 42T for its expertise in transforming innovative technologies into commercially-viable, mass-produced products. 42T’s proven approach and track record in developing market-winning products across multiple sectors will help ensure Pandora is fully optimised for scalability, reliability, and cost-efficiency. This important new partnership will ensure Pandora meets the stringent demands of military operations, while boosting investor confidence in a robust, market-ready product poised for global adoption.
42T’s expert team will work closely with UAP to refine the Pandora suite of products, including the recently unveiled P140 and P6240 systems, and with UAP’s manufacturing partners (announced earlier this week at DSEI) to establish a solid foundation for mass production.
“Our strategic partnership with 42T will ensure Pandora’s state-of-the-art design and unmatched endurance capabilities are ready for mass production, delivering exceptional value to our military customers and sustained growth for our investors. Urban-Air Port’s vision is to build a future where our technology leads the global defence UAV logistics needs.”
“We are thrilled to partner with UAP on this groundbreaking technology. Our team is dedicated to ensuring Pandora’s design is optimised for mass production, leveraging automation to enhance quality and reduce costs while meeting the military’s stringent regulatory standards. This collaboration positions UAP to deliver a product that not only meets the needs of today’s military but also drives significant benefits for taxpayers, customers and investors through scalable, high-impact innovation.”
Pandora provides a mobile and integrated platform to launch, manage and sustain UAVs. It enables simultaneous launches from multiple locations, as well as supporting real-time ISR to improve battlefield coordination and decision-making. The system has been developed to meet the MOD’s ambitious Project Volley requirements for UAV launch systems, and has been successfully trialled at its Warminster testing grounds.
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 unmatched solutions for global defence and aerospace markets.
Its defence-focused Pandora suit of products, unveiled at DSEI 9-12th September 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, Vertical Aerospace, EASA, NATS, Qatar Airways, Anduril and elite military units like US Special Forces and the British Army.
Visit www.urbanairport.com for more information and follow us on LinkedIn.
Media enquiries: press@urbanairport.com
About 42T
42 Technology (42T) is a product design and innovation consultancy, based near Cambridge (UK), that helps create technically advanced new products and enhanced manufacturing processes for some of the world’s best-known brands, as well as start-ups and SMEs. It works across five industry sectors: consumer, energy, medtech, life sciences, and industrial.
The company was founded in 1998 and has established a strong reputation for partnering with its clients to solve complex technical problems and develop brilliantly successful products. The team comprises engineers, scientists and designers, and offers a diverse range of skillsets that includes ethnographic research and usability engineering, product and system design, device testing and regulatory compliance.
For further information please visit or contact 42T.com
