September 4, 2025 – At MSPO 2025 in Kielce, Poland, Australian defense company DefendTex unveiled its Drone 40 system, emphasizing its modular design and ability to support a wide range of missions. Built to meet the realities of modern warfare, Drone 40 enables forces to perform reconnaissance, electronic support, and precision strikes using a single platform with interchangeable payloads.
This adaptability directly addresses the lessons of conflicts like Ukraine, where drones have become essential. DefendTex provides a comprehensive catalog of mission-specific configurations. The ISR EO module delivers 4K real-time imagery, a 90-degree look-down angle, and encrypted 1080p video streaming. The ISR TI thermal imaging option ensures day-and-night surveillance with a 640×480 sensor.
Beyond ISR, Drone 40 carries offensive payloads including a FRAG module with a 100-meter fragmentation radius, an EFP shaped charge capable of penetrating 16 mm of rolled homogeneous armor, and multi-color smoke munitions for concealment or target marking. Non-lethal options include a flashbang payload producing 170 dB of sound and 5 million candela brightness for urban operations, as well as training effectors and illumination payloads like IR Strobe and EO Streetlight.
With its modular architecture, Drone 40 allows forces to quickly switch from reconnaissance to strike missions by simply swapping payloads. This reduces logistical complexity while improving battlefield efficiency. Integrated encrypted communications, onboard processing, and long-range LORA radios ensure compatibility with digital combat networks, crucial in contested electromagnetic environments.
Strategically, Drone 40 enhances small-unit adaptability, complicates enemy countermeasures, and lowers the entry cost of advanced drone warfare. Its mass-producible, versatile design represents a significant step toward the future of military operations, where payload flexibility matters more than platform size.
