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Shark Aviation Dynamics IRYDA+ X1 UAV

2026 DRONE TECHNOLOGY FLIGHT TESTING AUTONOMOUS AIRCRAFT COMMAND AND CONTROL

History

The Shark Aviation Dynamics IRYDA+ X1 is a compact fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle developed through a Polish-Turkish partnership between Türkiye-based Shark Aviation Dynamics and Poland-based MBF Group S.A. Shark Aviation is responsible for technological and engineering development, while MBF Group manages the program's business, organizational, and international development. The Shark Aviation product page presents the aircraft as a portable modular military UAV, while the MBF Group project page describes a broader autonomous system for reconnaissance, surveillance, security, and coordinated multi-aircraft missions.

The program is centered on autonomous mission execution, rapid field deployment, and management of more than one aircraft from a single Ground Control System. Swarm behavior is a development objective, but the July 2026 Phase I trials did not demonstrate full autonomous swarm operation or direct data exchange between aircraft.

By mid-2026 the project had produced physical engineering prototypes and moved into structured flight testing. Shark Aviation stated that 52 prototypes had been built during development for aerodynamic, navigation, software, and other testing, while five engineering prototypes were used in the formal Phase I demonstration in Konya, Türkiye.

Development and early testing

On 30 June 2026, TURDEF reported a live-warhead dive test of the IRYDA+ X1. The report described the aircraft as a kamikaze UAV and stated that it struck with a deviation of about 1 m. It also reported a 300 g fragmentation warhead and an airburst test conducted about 5 m above the ground. These reports show that an attack configuration has been tested, although the manufacturers also present the platform for reconnaissance, surveillance, security, and other modular missions.

The first official stage of the technical verification program took place on 19 July 2026 at Shark Aviation's test area in Konya. Five prototype aircraft flew separate mission profiles under prepared plans and safety procedures. One aircraft completed an autonomous mission of about 24 km. Two more aircraft flew separate autonomous routes, while the remaining two operated simultaneously under one operator through a single Ground Control Station.

The two simultaneously managed aircraft followed their own pre-programmed mission plans and did not exchange data directly with each other. For that reason, the Phase I event demonstrated coordinated multi-platform operation rather than a fully autonomous swarm. MBF Group reported that all five aircraft completed their assigned mission profiles.

One verified flight profile lasted about 18 minutes. During the trials, a cruising speed of about 99 km/h and a maximum displayed speed of 146 km/h were recorded. These were test observations rather than the standard published performance figures. Active command and telemetry communication was maintained over about 2 km, after which the long-profile aircraft continued its preloaded mission autonomously. The system also retained operator-supervised mission abort capability while the communication link was active, including cancellation of payload activation followed by autonomous landing and recovery.

MSPO 2026 and Phase II

The next public milestone is planned for 8 September 2026, when MBF Group intends to present the IRYDA+ X1 at MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland. The presentation is intended to distinguish capabilities already demonstrated from functions that still require testing, integration, or qualification. Phase II is expected to include additional demonstrations and development work in Poland, although its detailed scope, schedule, financing, and division of responsibilities have not yet been finalized.

MBF Group is also evaluating a future Polish facility for system integration, final assembly, testing, quality control, servicing, operator training, and technical support. The company states that this remains a strategic objective rather than a finalized investment decision, with no confirmed location, budget, or implementation schedule.

Design

IRYDA+ X1 uses a fixed-wing airframe with electric propulsion. Its modular structure includes a detachable wing and a compact fuselage intended to simplify field transport and preparation. Shark Aviation describes the aircraft as portable and suitable for transport in a dedicated carrying case.

The system architecture combines the air vehicle, flight-control computer, mission-planning software, telemetry infrastructure, and Ground Control Station. Navigation combines GPS/GNSS satellite navigation with an inertial navigation system. The aircraft is designed for autonomous execution of pre-programmed missions while retaining operator oversight through the control link.

The payload capacity is 300 g. Different sensors and mission equipment can be fitted depending on the task. MBF Group identifies electro-optical and infrared sensor integration as part of the system's development path. A June 2026 test reported by TURDEF used a 300 g fragmentation warhead, showing that the modular payload concept has also been applied to a one-way attack configuration.

The aircraft is specified for operation from -20 to +50 °C. Shark Aviation publishes a 2 km telemetry range, while the July Phase I test confirmed active command and telemetry communication over approximately that distance before an aircraft continued its autonomous route.

Multi-aircraft control and swarm development

A central objective of the program is to allow a small team to manage multiple UAVs from one Ground Control System. Phase I verified simultaneous supervision of two aircraft by one operator, but those aircraft followed independent pre-programmed routes without direct inter-aircraft communication. The manufacturers are continuing work on data exchange, coordination, and a more complete swarm architecture.

MBF Group describes future swarm functions as including real-time coordination, data exchange between platforms, adaptive mission execution, secure communications, scalable architecture, and support for GPS-denied environments. These functions should be treated as development goals unless and until they are demonstrated and qualified in later testing.

System configuration

MBF Group describes a standard system kit built around two IRYDA+ X1 aircraft, a tablet-based Ground Control System, mission-management software, a carrying case, and system documentation. The company also states that configurations can be adapted to customer requirements.

Program status

As of August 2026, IRYDA+ X1 remains an engineering and operational-development program rather than a confirmed serial-production or in-service system. Physical prototypes have completed flight testing, including the Phase I demonstration in Konya, and the partners are preparing further demonstrations and commercialization activities.

The program's next scheduled public milestone is the MSPO 2026 presentation in Poland on 8 September 2026. Later work is expected to focus on Phase II testing, broader multi-aircraft coordination, additional payload integration, and the transition from engineering prototypes toward a configurable product. No armed-force operator, production contract, or service-entry date is confirmed in the supplied sources.

Specifications (IRYDA+ X1)

The following values are the baseline figures published by Shark Aviation Dynamics. They should not be confused with the higher displayed speeds recorded during the July 2026 Phase I test. A separate MBF Group project page advertises endurance of more than 60 minutes, while Shark Aviation's technical specification lists 40 minutes; the more specific Shark Aviation technical table is used here.