MBF Group Launches SPACE Z1 Program to Integrate Satellite Tech into UAS
The Polish firm is pairing a long-term R&D initiative with the commercial rollout of its IRYDA+ X1 platform.
MBF Group S.A. has launched the IRYDA+ SPACE Z1 program, a long-term research and development initiative designed to integrate space-enabled technologies and artificial intelligence into unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The move signals a strategic shift toward high-autonomy, military-grade platforms capable of operating beyond traditional communication limits.
The SPACE Z1 program focuses on the implementation of satellite and hybrid beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications, encrypted telemetry, and edge computing. According to the company, the initiative also prioritizes AI-supported mission management. MBF Group clarified that the program is not intended to create a "space drone," but rather to apply space-sector technologies to enhance the capabilities of platforms operating within the Earth's atmosphere.
A Dual-Track Development Strategy
This R&D push runs parallel to the commercialization of the IRYDA+ X1, which serves as the company's near-term commercial platform. MBF Group has scheduled the official presentation of the X1 for MSPO 2026 in Kielce. By maintaining this dual track, the NewConnect-listed company aims to deliver an immediate engineering product while ensuring its future systems do not fall behind in the rapidly evolving fields of AI and satellite-integrated aviation.
To support these ambitions, MBF Group is pursuing new financing through a Series K share issue. This includes a specific proposal to offer 160,000 shares to Radosław Majdan at a price of PLN 6.25 per share, representing a total investment of PLN 1 million.
Strategic Implications and Global Cooperation
The transition toward "space-enabled" terrestrial drones is critical for reducing reliance on direct line-of-sight communications, which often limit the operational range and survivability of UAS in contested environments. By integrating BLOS capabilities and onboard autonomy, MBF Group is attempting to establish a sustainable technological base for next-generation defense systems within Poland.
International collaboration is a key component of this roadmap. The company intends to leverage cooperation between Poland and Türkiye, specifically citing potential consultations with R&D units at Necmettin Erbakan University in Konya to advance its technical objectives.
Future Outlook
Industry observers will be watching the MSPO 2026 exhibition to see if the IRYDA+ X1 meets its commercial benchmarks. The success of the SPACE Z1 program will depend on the company's ability to successfully migrate complex satellite telemetry and edge computing into a deployable UAS architecture. Whether the proposed Series K financing is fully realized will also determine the pace at which these advanced R&D milestones are achieved.