Glide secretly into heart of enemy territory? Paras are on the case

By the Editorial Team · Friday, August 28, 2026

British military forces will test a new foot-launched powered paraglider developed by Wiltshire start-up Blakcro, designed for silent, rapid insertion into hostile areas without the need for runways or aircraft. Funded by nearly £6 million from the Ministry of Defence, this compact, stealthy glider could provide a significant tactical advantage by enabling covert operations that minimize logistical support and detection risks.

British military forces are set to trial an innovative foot-launched powered paraglider system designed to enhance covert operations behind enemy lines. Developed by Wiltshire-based start-up Blakcro, the compact gliders, roughly the size of a large rucksack, can be assembled in under eight minutes, even in darkness, allowing troops to enter hostile territory without conventional aircraft or runways.

Supported by around £6 million in funding from the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the technology marks the UK's first military paraglider system of its kind. The Royal Marines and Parachute Regiment are scheduled to conduct tests over the coming months. The paraglider is powered by the user’s running launch and wind, as it has no engine or wheels, enabling silent, low-visibility insertion.

Blakcro, which has grown its workforce from three to 11 employees since receiving backing from UK Defence Innovation (UKDI), describes the glider as built around a UK-made titanium airframe capable of carrying body armour, night vision equipment, and weapon mounts. The system boasts a low acoustic, visual, and radar signature to support stealth missions and can cover distances up to 200 miles.

The technology has already entered operational use, with Blakcro holding three prime contracts with the UK and NATO allies. Sam Wedgwood, the company’s founder and chief executive, highlighted the rapid progression from initial development in 2024 to operational deployment by 2026, attributing success to financial and commercialisation support from UKDI.

The MoD characterized its partnership with Blakcro and UKDI as an example of government efforts to nurture agile, homegrown innovation. Luke Pollard, minister for defence readiness and industry, emphasized the importance of supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to build a resilient defence supply chain, deliver cutting-edge capabilities to the armed forces, and secure jobs in regions such as Wiltshire.

The glider’s compact design, quick assembly time, and ability to be launched on foot aim to provide a novel option for infiltration missions where the use of helicopters or aircraft is impractical or risks detection. By facilitating deep penetration into enemy territory with minimal logistical footprint, the system could offer a tactical advantage in a variety of operational environments.

Blakcro has also benefited from a defence innovation loan that helped scale production capabilities beyond a single product line, demonstrating the company’s expansion within the defence sector. The introduction of this technology reflects broader efforts within the UK Ministry of Defence to integrate emerging technologies developed by smaller domestic firms into conventional military structures.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.