Poland is taking a different approach to battlefield resupply with a next-gen hybrid drone capable of delivering cargo without touching down.
Developed by EKOLOT Aerospace & Defense (EAD), the ZEUS PHOENIX PX-100 is designed for a wide range of defense and civil protection missions, from critical logistics and humanitarian aid to emergency response and tactical resupply.
It incorporates two cargo delivery concepts tailored for hard-to-reach and austere environments: a Drop-Box Delivery system for controlled package releases and a Rope & Hook Delivery system that lowers payloads with precision from heights of up to 30 meters (98 feet).
The drone can transport medical kits, communications equipment, urgent spare parts, and other mission-critical supplies without exposing personnel to unnecessary risk.
According to EAD, the system is intended to speed up deliveries while improving safety for operators working in urban, mountainous, flooded, and other challenging environments.
Numbers Powering the PX-100
The PX-100 combines hybrid propulsion with an electric power system that enables more than four hours of autonomous flight.
It can carry payloads of up to 30 kilograms (66 pounds) across a mission radius of 140 kilometers (87 miles) while operating in temperatures ranging from -10 to 50 degrees Celsius (14 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit).
The drone has a service ceiling of 3,250 meters (10,663 feet), cruises at 45 kilometers (28 miles) per hour, and reaches top speeds of more than 54 kilometers (33 miles) per hour.
Safety and Security in Flight
The PX-100 supports beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations with encrypted communications designed to prevent interception or hijacking.
According to the company, the drone is built without US-controlled components, making it easier to export and deploy to international partners.
It can also fly pre-programmed routes autonomously and uses three independent motion-sensing units to provide redundancy if one sensor fails.
Additional safeguards include an automatic emergency parachute, a return-to-home function, and an independent remote kill switch.
‘Built for Maximum Stability’
The PX-100 supports a modular intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) suite that can integrate electro-optical/infrared cameras, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), and other advanced radar systems.
EAD said the drone’s components were engineered for maximum stability and payload capacity, enabling reliable operations across demanding mission environments.
The platform also combines multiple satellite navigation networks with real-time kinematic correction, improving positioning accuracy to within centimeters.
