Exclusive: Japan Mitsubishi Heavy Industries develops new hybrid-powered aerial drone with 200 kg payload
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Japanese defense and aerospace company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), in collaboration with Yamaha Motor, has completed a flight test of a hybrid-powered medium-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying a 200-kilogram payload over a 200-kilometer target range. The test flight was conducted in mid-April 2025 at MHI’s UAV research facility, marking a critical step in the development of advanced unmanned logistics platforms suitable for both civil and defense applications. The prototype UAV was publicly unveiled for the first time during the Japan Drone 2025 expo, held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, from June 4 to 6, 2025.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The hybrid-powered aerial drone developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Yamaha Motor during a successful flight test, showcasing its ability to carry a 200 kg payload over long distances. (Picture source: MHI)
The new Mitsubishi Heavy Industries UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) integrates a compact, lightweight hybrid power generating unit developed by Yamaha Motor, incorporating high-performance engine technology and advanced electric motor systems derived from Yamaha’s expertise in motorcycles and off-road vehicles. The propulsion system is designed to improve endurance and range, a key challenge in current multirotor UAV platforms. MHI’s role has focused on the design, structural integration, and flight testing of the UAV, capitalizing on its decades-long experience in military and commercial aircraft engineering.
The exhibited platform reflects Japan’s broader strategy to harness UAVs for critical support roles in disaster relief, remote logistics, and infrastructure maintenance. These UAVs are envisioned as a viable solution for transporting materials to mountainous regions, delivering supplies to isolated islands, and providing emergency logistics in areas cut off by natural disasters—tasks traditionally limited by terrain or infrastructure constraints. With a projected cruising range of 200 kilometers and significant payload capacity, this UAV offers a flexible alternative to helicopters and ground transport, especially in environments where logistics volume is low but urgency is high.
The debut at Japan Drone 2025 attracted strong interest from defense industry stakeholders and government representatives, highlighting the growing recognition of UAVs as essential assets in Japan’s emergency response and national resilience planning. The joint initiative between MHI and Yamaha also underscores an increasing convergence between traditional aerospace manufacturers and commercial mobility companies in shaping the next generation of unmanned systems.
Development and refinement of the hybrid UAV platform are ongoing, with further testing and potential expansion into dual-use or defense-specific variants likely. MHI and Yamaha are positioning the platform not only for domestic applications but also as a potential export solution for countries facing similar geographic and logistical challenges. The successful flight and public reveal signal a promising future for hybrid UAVs in Japan’s technological and strategic landscape.
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Japanese defense and aerospace company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), in collaboration with Yamaha Motor, has completed a flight test of a hybrid-powered medium-sized Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capable of carrying a 200-kilogram payload over a 200-kilometer target range. The test flight was conducted in mid-April 2025 at MHI’s UAV research facility, marking a critical step in the development of advanced unmanned logistics platforms suitable for both civil and defense applications. The prototype UAV was publicly unveiled for the first time during the Japan Drone 2025 expo, held at Makuhari Messe, Chiba, from June 4 to 6, 2025.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The hybrid-powered aerial drone developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Yamaha Motor during a successful flight test, showcasing its ability to carry a 200 kg payload over long distances. (Picture source: MHI)
The new Mitsubishi Heavy Industries UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) integrates a compact, lightweight hybrid power generating unit developed by Yamaha Motor, incorporating high-performance engine technology and advanced electric motor systems derived from Yamaha’s expertise in motorcycles and off-road vehicles. The propulsion system is designed to improve endurance and range, a key challenge in current multirotor UAV platforms. MHI’s role has focused on the design, structural integration, and flight testing of the UAV, capitalizing on its decades-long experience in military and commercial aircraft engineering.
The exhibited platform reflects Japan’s broader strategy to harness UAVs for critical support roles in disaster relief, remote logistics, and infrastructure maintenance. These UAVs are envisioned as a viable solution for transporting materials to mountainous regions, delivering supplies to isolated islands, and providing emergency logistics in areas cut off by natural disasters—tasks traditionally limited by terrain or infrastructure constraints. With a projected cruising range of 200 kilometers and significant payload capacity, this UAV offers a flexible alternative to helicopters and ground transport, especially in environments where logistics volume is low but urgency is high.
The debut at Japan Drone 2025 attracted strong interest from defense industry stakeholders and government representatives, highlighting the growing recognition of UAVs as essential assets in Japan’s emergency response and national resilience planning. The joint initiative between MHI and Yamaha also underscores an increasing convergence between traditional aerospace manufacturers and commercial mobility companies in shaping the next generation of unmanned systems.
Development and refinement of the hybrid UAV platform are ongoing, with further testing and potential expansion into dual-use or defense-specific variants likely. MHI and Yamaha are positioning the platform not only for domestic applications but also as a potential export solution for countries facing similar geographic and logistical challenges. The successful flight and public reveal signal a promising future for hybrid UAVs in Japan’s technological and strategic landscape.
