Bulgaria's "Black Swan" cargo drone gains surveillance capabilities with latest upgrade

Bulgarian aerospace company Dronamics and German defence technology firm HENSOLDT are upgrading the long-range Black Swan cargo drone into a “Detect & Defend” platform designed to enhance Europe’s unmanned aerial surveillance capabilities.

The new variant of the Black Swan will integrate HENSOLDT’s advanced sensor and mission systems, forming the core of what the companies describe as a fully European unmanned airborne surveillance solution, as reported by the NextGenDefense outlet. 

Central to the upgrade is the MissMarvin mission management software, which works alongside onboard data fusion tools to enable a single aircraft to carry out multiple missions during one sortie.

The platform will also be equipped with PrecISR, a compact active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar capable of operating around the clock and in all weather conditions.

Together, these systems are intended to support intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, providing European operators with an autonomous aerial monitoring capability.

The Black Swan features a 16-meter wingspan and an 8-meter fuselage, allowing for long-endurance operations. It can fly at altitudes of up to 9,100 meters and cruise at speeds of around 200 kilometers per hour, placing it beyond the reach of many ground-based threats.

With a payload capacity of up to 350 kilograms and a maximum range of 2,500 kilometers, the aircraft can carry advanced reconnaissance equipment over long distances. A mobile ground control station, supported by global satellite communications, enables operators to deploy and manage the drone from virtually any location.

The first flight of the upgraded version is expected later this year. Initial deployment is planned for Europe’s Eastern Flank, as well as the Mediterranean and Atlantic regions.

Azerbaijan-based cargo carrier Silk Way has previously partnered with Dronamics, signing agreements in 2024 to develop drone-based cargo services in the Alat Free Economic Zone, which operates in close cooperation with the Baku International Sea Trade Port.

By Nazrin Sadigova