US-based Odys Aviation and Singapore-based ST Engineering have partnered to jointly develop a hybrid-electric propulsion system for the DrN-600 medium-lift cargo unmanned aircraft system (UAS). Hybrid drone alliance The collaboration is aimed at extending DrN-600 UAS’s range and improving the efficiency of unmanned cargo operations. The propulsion technology is based on Odys’ proprietary Hybrid Power System, which has been developed and flight-tested over the past five years. The platform aims to address key challenges that have limited the widespread adoption of commercial cargo drones, including mission autonomy, regulatory compliance, operational safety, and cost-effective large-scale deployment. Its design also builds on ST Engineering’s operational experience gained since 2018 through the deployment of smaller unmanned aircraft systems.