Edge Group Unveiling New Uncrewed Aircraft, Missiles

DUBAI—Emirati defense company Edge Group has unveiled its proposal for an uncrewed version of the Polish Flaris LAR 1 very light jet.

Unveiled on the first day of the 2023 Dubai Airshow here Nov. 13, the platform—named Sinyar—will be capable of operating at altitudes up to 30,000 ft. and can carry a payload of 450 kg (992 lb.).

The development of the platform follows Edge’s decision to make a 50% investment in Flaris, the Poland-based very light jet developer, in the week running up to the event. Sinyar is one of several new platforms to emerge from Edge and being unveiled at this year’s airshow.

Others include the Reach-M, a growth version of the company’s Reach-S twin-boom tactical uncrewed aircraft system (UAS), which bears a striking similarity to the Turkish Bayraktar TB2 UAS. Edge describes Reach-M as an armed medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS with a maximum takeoff weight of 1,500 kg and endurance of 24 hr.

The company is also showing off the HT-100 synchropter UAS following Edge’s investment in its Swiss-developer Anavia. Edge says the HT-100 could be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, as well as logistics tasks.

Edge is also offering a new anti-ship missile based on the MANSUP weapon developed by Brazilian company SIATT, which Edge purchased a 50% stake in during October. Edge says it will work with SIATT on the development of MANSUP-ER, a missile with a range of 200 km (124 mi.) to meet the requirements of both the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Brazilian navies.

The company is also displaying a model of a subsonic, low-cost cruise missile called NASEF, showcasing the -20 and -125 versions. The NASEF-20 is designed to be launched from UAS to engage what the company describes as soft targets, while the NASEF-125 is a heavier subsonic cruise and anti-ship missile.

Mansour Al Mulla, Edge Group’s managing director and CEO, says the new systems being displayed at Dubai would “compete with the best in the industry” in terms of performance and price point.

Edge, established in late 2019, is a holding company for the UAE’s defense companies and startups. Edge brought some 25 firms owned by Emirates Defense Industries Company (EDIC), Emirates Advanced Investments Group (EAIG) and Tawazun Holding under a single umbrella organization.