In the UK, broken military combat jets are not going to waste. They are getting a second life as parts for next-gen drones.
Tech startup Uplift360 has developed a proprietary recycling tech that regenerates high-value composite materials from military platforms using a chemical method.
The process is said to be non-degenerative, meaning materials retain their integrity and performance even after regeneration.
The company previously partnered with Leonardo to convert an aging helicopter rotor blade into a prototype drone arm.
It has also supported aerospace programs with Rolls Royce and worked with industrial partners to recover parts from a broken Typhoon jet.
“Durable, high-quality advanced materials are of strategic importance to securing the future of NATO nations,” said Sander Verbrugge, an official with the NATO Innovation Fund, which is backing the tech.
“Uplift360’s platform is exactly the kind of dual-use innovation Europe needs — tackling a real supply-chain vulnerability, reducing carbon emissions and bolstering the resilience of the sectors that underpin European industrialization and competitiveness.”
Scaling Production
Uplift360 recently raised 7.4 million euro ($8.8 million) in a funding round led by deep-tech venture company Extantia to scale its regeneration tech and accelerate component processing.
The funding will allow the British firm to handle tougher materials like carbon fiber, Kevlar, and aerospace laminates.
It will also support the creation of Uplift360’s first pilot-scale production line, enabling higher volumes and closer integration with customers.
“This investment is a clear signal that Europe intends to lead in sustainable advanced-materials manufacturing,” Uplift360 Chief Executive Officer Sam Staincliffe said. “With Extantia and the NATO Innovation Fund behind us, we’re now positioned to scale with urgency.”
