Abu Dhabi, UAE: EDGE Group entity, CMD, a leading Italian company specialising in the design, prototyping and development of advanced propulsion systems for automotive, marine and aeronautical applications, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dronamics, an aerospace company developing unmanned aerial systems for civilian and dual-use applications and a portfolio company of Strategic Development Fund (SDF), also an EDGE Group entity, to jointly evaluate next-generation propulsion solutions for Dronamics’ Black Swan cargo drone. The MoU was signed by Vencislav Hamanov, VP Global Supply Chain of Dronamics, and Giorgio Negri, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of CMD, at the EDGE Europe office in Paris during the Euronaval naval defence and maritime security event.

Under the agreement, the two parties will assess a range of potential pathways for the development of diversified advanced propulsion for the Dronamics Black Swan drone platform, which includes integrating existing CMD engines, modifying and adapting current CMD engines, and designing and developing an entirely new power system. This collaboration also covers applicable aerospace certifications, as well as serial manufacturing and through-life support for the selected engine.

Dronamics is emerging as one of Europe’s leading aerospace and logistics innovators, specialising in the development of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for civilian, commercial, and dual-use applications. Its capabilities centre on long-range, high-payload autonomous cargo delivery, redefining the possibilities of air freight and logistics. SDF is Dronamics’ largest investor to date through its venture capital investments, while CMD was recently acquired by EDGE to significantly lay the foundation for the expansion of a high-quality engine production base in Europe and strengthens EDGE’s global propulsion capabilities.