Farnborough 2026: Beta Defense debuts MV250 hybrid-electric heavy-lift cargo UAV
The MV250 hybrid-electric cargo UAV was debuted at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
US company Beta Defense debuted its MV250 hybrid-electric heavy-lift cargo unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026.
The defence arm of Beta Technologies showcased the unmanned military version of its Alia 250 electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) UAV in the static display of the biennial event running from 20 to 24 July.
With a 7.1 m3 cabin volume, the MV250 is built for cargo carriage which is loaded via its nose door, and can also be used to employ air-launched effects (ALEs) from side-mounted launch tubes, for casualty and medical evacuation, and for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). It can also be used as a forward-located tactical power source, providing up to 500 kW to troops on the ground for command and control, counter-UAV, electronic warfare, or directed energy weapon applications.
The MV250's turbogenerator has been developed with GE Aerospace, and is compatible with JP-8, JP-5, and NATO F-34/F-44 fuels. With the VTOL capability provided by four fixed-pitch propellers, forward propulsion is provided by a single variable-pitch pusher propeller.
Performance specifications given by the company show the MV250 to have an operational radius in excess of 250 n miles (giving it its MV250 designation), a cruise speed in excess of 170 kt, a payload of 2,000 lb (907 kg), a ferry endurance of 12 hr at 20,000 ft.
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