BIRMINGHAM, United Kingdom – GKN Aerospace on Friday unveiled an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) demonstrator, less than a year after launching a program with Sweden to develop the aircraft and a dedicated turbojet engine.

The company said the demonstrator represents the first public presentation of the platform and brings together propulsion, aerostructures and systems integration expertise from Sweden, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

“One year ago, this was an idea and an ambition. Today, we are unveiling the first tangible result of that work. That achievement reflects close collaboration with FMV, the Swedish Armed Forces and the combined expertise of teams across GKN Aerospace,” said Joakim Andersson, President of Engines.

The initiative was announced in November under an 18-month program with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, known as FMV. It calls for development of a clean-sheet UAV demonstrator and dedicated turbojet engine.

The program includes development of the engine, airframe and onboard systems. GKN said the demonstrator is designed as a flexible platform for testing and evaluation and will provide experience in developing, integrating and manufacturing complex aerospace systems on accelerated timelines.

A full-scale mock-up of the UAV and its dedicated turbojet engine is being displayed at the Armed Forces Air Venture 2026 as part of the Swedish Air Force’s centenary celebrations.

UAV development has become an increasing focus of defence programs as militaries seek systems that can be developed and adapted more quickly.

GKN already supports UAV and remotely piloted aircraft programs and supplies structures and other components for uncrewed aircraft.

The Canadian government said in July that it had launched a Defence Drone Initiative to accelerate the development, testing and production of Canadian uncrewed and autonomous systems for the Canadian Armed Forces and Canadian Coast Guard.