ERC System: Victor heavy-duty drone to start series production in 2028

Civil and military ERC System Heavy-Lift Drone Victor Enters Series Production Three Years Early

2026-06-11 Source: dpa 2 min Reading Time

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It has now been announced that the aviation company ERC System intends to start series production of a transport drone three years earlier than planned.

ERC System is a start-up that is also dedicated to drone development. What you can see here is a heavy-duty drone that can weigh 250 kilograms. The military in particular is interested in the unmanned flight system, which is now coming faster than initially planned.(Source: ERC system) — ERC System is a start-up that is also dedicated to drone development. What you can see here is a heavy-duty drone that can weigh 250 kilograms. The military in particular is interested in the unmanned flight system, which is now coming faster than initially planned.
(Source: ERC system)

At the International Air Show in Berlin, ERC System, a company based in Ottobrunn near Munich, is presenting an unmanned aerial vehicle that can be used for both military and civilian purposes. It is called Victor and is a "dual use" heavy-duty drone with a hybrid drive. It can carry 250 kilograms and fly 300 kilometers. The first Victor prototype is due to take off as early as this year. In addition to military tasks, the system can also be used for offshore logistics and firefighting. Series production is now planned for 2028 rather than 2031, but the following should be kept in mind: So far, two German start-ups have run into financial difficulties or had to file for bankruptcy amid great media interest in the development of electric aircraft. These are, of course, Volocopter and Lilium. Volocopter was taken over by a Chinese buyer with a greatly reduced workforce, Lilium went under and the technology was sold to a US company.

ERC also benefits from the drone and armaments boom

However, ERC System does have the aerospace service provider IAGB on board as an investor and therefore does not have to continuously recruit new investors. Incidentally, Northern Helicopter, a wholly owned subsidiary of DRF Luftrettung, is a partner in the drone project. So far, the start-up has developed a vertical take-off and landing drone called Charlie, which was originally intended as a flying ambulance and is due to be launched on the market in 2031. Deutsche Luftrettung is already involved in this project. ERC System presented the Romeo unmanned prototype just a few months ago. The development of the new drone should now be both faster and cheaper, according to the statement. This means that ERC System is also benefiting from the current armaments and drone boom. It is noted that the impetus for the new development came from the ranks of the armed forces, as they increasingly no longer want to operate manned combat systems.

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