British firm Urban-Air Port is targeting one of modern warfare’s key operational challenges: enabling rapid, scalable unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launch, recovery, and sustainment.
Its answer is Pandora CADDS (Containerised Automated Drone Deployment System), a containerized platform designed to deploy, recover, and support UAVs across multi-domain operations.
The system incorporates onboard artificial intelligence for computer vision, sensor fusion, situational awareness, and tactical planning. Built on an open architecture, it is compatible with existing command-and-control (C2) networks, including Anduril’s Lattice.
Four military and corporate personnel standing alongside a British Army vehicle equipped with the Pandora CADDS. Image: Urban-Air Port
Operators can pre-program missions and coordinate swarm deployments, allowing a single user to control multiple UAVs simultaneously. The platform also supports a wide range of systems, including fixed-wing and rotary-wing drones, first-person view (FPV) aircraft, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) UAVs, and loitering munitions.
Three Tiers of Deployment
Pandora CADDS is available in three variants, beginning with the P140, a shoulder-carried system for platoon-level missions that can be deployed by a single soldier within minutes. Roughly the size of a large carry-on suitcase, it can launch up to three 25-centimeter (10-inch) FPV drones. The P160, meanwhile, offers greater launch capacity and can be carried by soldiers or mounted on High Mobility Transporter vehicles.
During British Army trials, it reportedly reduced launch times by up to 80 percent.
A British Army soldier in a beret inspecting small FPV drones mounted inside an open Pandora CADDS tactical case during outdoor field trials. Image: Urban-Air Port
Completing the lineup is the P6240, a palletized variant designed for battalion-level operations aboard tactical vehicles and maritime platforms. It features a three-stage launch sequence for storing, staging, and deploying multiple munitions, with live munitions able to remain pre-positioned for up to 30 days.
Complementing High-Value Assets
The platform reflects the growing shift toward distributed autonomous operations as militaries field increasing numbers of low-cost drones, FPV systems, and loitering munitions.
According to Urban-Air Port, Pandora CADDS is intended to complement high-value military assets with a scalable drone deployment capability.
“Urban-Air Port’s Pandora demonstrates a deep understanding of operational needs,”
said Lt. Col. Arthur Dawe, chief of staff of the British Army’s Experimentation and Trials Group.
“Its innovative approach to scalable, autonomous UAV deployment helps to strengthen the British Army’s Future Force structure.”
Source: NextGenDefense