FAREHAM, HAMPSHIRE – Windracers, the British civil and defence drone manufacturer, has officially opened its refurbished and expanded 22,000 square meter (237,000 sq ft) factory in Hamble-Valley, Fareham, marking a significant step to rapidly scale up production of its heavy-lift ULTRA drone. The new facility, which commenced operations on September 1, is set to more than double the company’s aircraft output by the end of this year, with ambitions to deliver hundreds of ULTRA drones over the next two years.
The expansion has already created over 50 skilled jobs in Hampshire and is poised to further boost the UK’s burgeoning autonomous aviation technology sector.
Boosting UK Drone Manufacturing Capabilities
The state-of-the-art factory in Fareham will serve as the primary hub for constructing Windracers’ flagship ULTRA heavy-lift drone, a versatile aircraft designed for both civil and defence applications. This move consolidates Windracers’ manufacturing footprint and significantly enhances its capacity to meet increasing demand from both domestic and international customers.
Simon Muderack, Chief Executive Officer at Windracers, emphasized the importance of this expansion. “This expansion is a major step for Windracers. It gives us the space and capability to scale up production of ULTRA aircraft, creating skilled jobs here in Hampshire and meeting demand from customers in the UK and overseas,” Muderack stated. “We are proud to be building world-leading technology in Fareham and to play a part in strengthening the UK’s aviation industry.”
The Versatile ULTRA Drone: Civil and Defence Applications
The Windracers ULTRA drone is renowned for its heavy-lift, long-distance capabilities, capable of carrying payloads up to 100kg over distances of 1,000 km. To date, Windracers has already supplied several dozen of these autonomous aircraft to a diverse range of customers in both civil and defence sectors, including the Ukrainian military.
Enhancing Humanitarian Aid and Logistics
Originally conceived to reduce the cost of delivering humanitarian aid to remote communities, the ULTRA drone has proven its utility in various challenging environments. Its applications extend to mail delivery, disaster response, and connecting hard-to-reach areas, demonstrating its potential to transform middle-mile logistics.
Strengthening Defence Capabilities
Beyond humanitarian efforts, the ULTRA drone plays a critical role in defence. The aircraft has been utilized for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions and has supported resupply efforts for the Armed Forces of Ukraine since 2023. The Royal Navy has also tested the ULTRA, exploring its potential for moving supplies between ships at sea without traditional helicopters.
Economic Impact and Future Growth in Hampshire
The opening event of the new factory brought together local leaders, national policymakers, industry partners, and the construction firms involved in the redevelopment, highlighting the collaborative effort behind this milestone. Councillor Louise Clubley, Mayor of Fareham, praised Windracers’ investment, noting that it brings high-quality jobs to the area and positions the borough at the forefront of an exciting and rapidly growing industry.
The expansion is not only a boost for Windracers but also underscores the UK’s rising prominence in autonomous aviation technology. The company recently unveiled the Mk2 variant of the ULTRA, offering increased payload and performance, further cementing its commitment to continuous innovation. This next-generation model boasts double the power output of its predecessor, a 50% increase in useful payload, and a significant reduction in fuel costs, making it an even more compelling solution for heavy-lift cargo operations.
With plans to increase output significantly and deliver hundreds of aircraft in the coming years, Windracers’ new factory is a strong indicator of the company’s upward trajectory and the broader growth of the autonomous aviation sector in the UK.
