Toshiba Begins Technical Collaboration on Domestically Produced Interceptor Drones in the Defense Sector

Prodrone Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture; President and CEO: Shunsuke Toya; hereinafter “Prodrone”) has begun a technical collaboration with Toshiba Corporation (Headquarters: Minato Ward, Tokyo; President, Executive Officer, and CEO: Taro Shimada; hereinafter “Toshiba”) to advance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system technology in the defense sector, specifically regarding domestically produced interceptor drones.

In recent years, technologies utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have advanced rapidly in both the defense and civilian sectors, and the importance of capabilities to counter UAVs used for reconnaissance, attacks, and other purposes is increasing. In light of these changing circumstances, Toshiba and Prodrone will pool their respective technologies and expertise to create new countermeasures in the defense sector.

Through this technical collaboration, the two companies will establish a rapid development framework that leverages their respective strengths. They also aim to improve cost competitiveness and mass-production capabilities by utilizing civilian technologies in the defense sector, as well as to build a supply chain based primarily on domestically produced components to ensure a stable supply system.

Specifically, Prodrone will contribute its airframe design technology and mass production track record cultivated through the development and manufacture of industrial drones, as well as its autonomous flight control and airframe control technologies accumulated through the development of large multicopters and long-range aircraft. The company will drive the development of airframes that balance the maneuverability and reliability required of drones. At the same time, by leveraging our development experience in the dual-use sector, along with the development speed and flexibility unique to a startup, we will enable rapid responses to customer requirements. Toshiba will draw on the technologies and expertise cultivated through the development of radar, air defense, and command and control systems, as well as its expertise in quality assurance for defense equipment, regulatory compliance, and system integration, to work toward the realization of systems with the high level of reliability required in the defense sector.

Prodrone will combine Toshiba’s expertise in the defense sector with Prodrone’s advanced technologies and development capabilities to contribute to the advancement of defense equipment and the enhancement of Japan’s national security capabilities.

■ About Prodrone Co., Ltd.

With the vision of “becoming the most trusted drone company in the region,” Prodrone aims to build a drone ecosystem in the Chubu region. The company provides one-stop services ranging from development to production of dual-use drones, including the “PD6B-Type3” multicopter—which has a maximum recommended payload of 20 kg and is currently in mass production—and the “Prodrone GT-M,” capable of long-distance flight (tested up to 100 km).