Flowcopter, a drone technology manufacturer, has received almost £1 million from Scottish Enterprise to support the development of a new hybrid, heavy-lift, unmanned aircraft that can rival—and operate on 30% less fuel than—helicopters.

The Scots firm designs and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and recently expanded into larger premises in Loanhead, Midlothian.

It’s set to use the £950,000 from Scottish Enterprise to develop an industrial heavy-lift drone capable of carrying up to 100kgs of goods to target industries including retail, renewables, agriculture, emergency rescue, and humanitarian aid.

The Flowcopter drone, called “FC100,” is cited as the first of its kind, using a new type of hydraulic power take-off which enables it to lift a heavy payload and fly for hours at a time. It also has the potential to reduce risks to aircrew in conflict or disaster zones by moving cargo to remote or difficult to access areas.

The technology could also be used for offshore wind operations and maintenance, remote logistics, crop dusting, and wildfire fighting.

The grant complements a total investment in the company of £1.9 million, and has supported the creation of at least seven new jobs, bringing the team to 17.

Flowcopter was founded in 2019 as a spinout from Artemis Intelligent Power, prior to acquisition by Danfoss. Peter McCurry, Dr. Uwe Stein, Marek Szupryczynski, and Dr. Niall Caldwell set up the company after identifying the potential that digital hydraulics offered for aerospace applications.

Speaking on the new funding, Peter McCurry, the managing director of Flowcopter, said: “The ongoing support we’ve had from Scottish Enterprise is fantastic and will enable us to develop our drone products further and access markets such as the offshore wind supply chain.

“We are using our proven, disruptive transmission technology to develop a completely new type of drone that is not available anywhere in the aerospace market. It is already generating significant interest from aerospace companies looking to decarbonise their operations.

“As we commercialise our technology and expand the team from our new base we will really see the business take off.”

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Wellbeing economy secretary Neil Gray visited the Flowcopter site alongside Jane Martin, managing director of innovation and investment at Scottish Enterprise, to see the drone.

Gray himself remarked: “Flowcopter embodies the Scottish Government’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

“This technology will drive improvements in Scotland’s economy and progress our vision to become one of the most innovative small nations in the world as set out in our National Innovation Strategy.”

Martin also added: “Scottish Enterprise has provided financial support and tailored growth advice to Flowcopter and the company is set to scale new heights with its exciting plans.

“Flowcopter is an innovative and future focused business with ambitions to scale, exactly the kind of company who will help transform Scotland’s economy by delivering growth and high value jobs.

“Scottish Enterprise aims to build on its track record and boost business innovation to unlock thousands of new jobs and billions of pounds worth of global growth opportunities for Scottish companies.”