MBF Group announced it has begun implementing the strategic Project Mallard – the first program in Poland to develop unmanned cargo aircraft intended for civil and commercial use. The project is the second pillar of the MBF Group–Squadron–Polish Industrial Lobby consortium, formed on September 4 this year following the announcement of the Iryda Plus fighter-drone project.
Image: MBF Group
Mallard is an advanced cargo unmanned aerial system (cargo UAV) that has already moved from the conceptual phase to practical testing and technical validation. The project’s goal is to develop and implement a full model of regular goods transport using aerial drones, enabling cost reduction, shorter delivery times, and increased safety of logistics operations.
The project includes three closely related development elements:
- Small Mallard – a ready UAV model with a payload capacity of up to 300 kg that has entered the phase of operational and research test flights. This unit enables analysis of the economic and technical efficiency of unmanned transport and the development of cost models and logistical procedures for future commercial operations.
- UAV delivery methodology – development of a system for organizing and managing medium-range flights, integrating UAV logistics centers and safety procedures.
- Large Mallard – the target cargo-aircraft design with a payload capacity of up to 1,000 kg (1 metric ton) and a range of up to 3,000 km, which will serve as the platform for serial production and commercialization in 2027–2030.
According to information provided by Squadron, the party responsible for the project’s technical side, the Mallard system is ready for initial research and calibration flights that will allow assessment of flight stability, energy efficiency and reliability under different environmental conditions. Meanwhile, the Polish Industrial Lobby coordinates the project’s substantive aspects and its integration with the Central Industrial District 2 (COP2) concept.
MBF Group, as the consortium leader, plans to shortly invite partners from the logistics, freight-forwarding, courier, industrial and energy sectors, as well as warehouse operators, e-commerce companies and investment funds interested in participating in the development of new transport technologies.
“Mallard is a breakthrough step toward automating cargo transport. We are bringing to market a solution that combines innovation, economy and safety. Poland has the chance to become one of the first countries in Europe to implement regular cargo transport using drones,” said Janusz Czarnecki, President of the Management Board of MBF Group.
The estimated cost to bring the project to the full-scale prototype stage is approximately 12 million EUR. Part of the work is already being financed from the Consortium members’ own funds.
According to MBF Group’s Management Board, the Mallard project responds to global trends in automation, digitalization and decarbonization of transport, and its implementation could significantly increase the company’s revenues and strengthen its position in the unmanned technologies market.
Additional information about the project: https://mbfgroup.pl/projekt-mallard-nowa-era-bezzalogowego-transportu-towarowego/
Press release