Greece is on the brink of a major leap in unmanned aerial systems technology. The prototype of the indigenous LOTUS (Low Observable Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System) stealth drone is now fully assembled and prepared for its maiden flight tests, paving the way for integration into the Hellenic Armed Forces.
This ambitious European defense program, led by INTRACOM DEFENSE (IDE), aims to deliver a cutting-edge low-observable (stealth) tactical UAV capable of executing high-value missions in contested environments.
Ground Tests Completed – Flight Trials Next
The prototype reached a key milestone in summer 2025 with the full integration of all critical subsystems. Extensive ground testing followed, thoroughly evaluating the aircraft’s electronics, flight systems, sensors, and overall performance to ensure maximum reliability before takeoff.
All work has adhered strictly to European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards. The next step is securing the necessary flight authorization to begin airborne trials.
A Mothership That Launches Smaller Drones
What sets the LOTUS apart from conventional UAVs is its role as a “mothership” platform. According to program specifications:
- Length: 6 meters
- Wingspan: 11 meters
- Maximum takeoff weight: Approximately 700 kg
Inside, it carries four smaller tube-launched drones with foldable wings. These can be deployed mid-mission, allowing the main platform to remain at a safe distance while the smaller units conduct independent operations.
This design multiplies the system’s effectiveness, enabling reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence gathering (ISR), and other specialized missions with reduced risk to the primary asset.
Stealth Design for High-Survivability Missions
Engineered with low-observability features, the LOTUS significantly reduces detectability by enemy radars. This allows it to penetrate high-threat areas, providing Greek forces with a powerful tool for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and operations requiring exceptional survivability.
A European Program with Strong Greek Leadership
LOTUS represents one of Greece’s most significant contributions to the European defense industry. It falls under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), approved by the European Commission in July 2020 with a 45-month timeline.
In November 2020, INTRACOM DEFENSE signed a €9.7 million grant agreement with the Commission, underscoring Europe’s confidence in Greek defense capabilities.
The project unites leading Greek industrial and academic partners:
- INTRACOM DEFENSE (IDE) – Coordinator
- ALTUS LSA
- CFT Carbon Fiber Technologies
- SignalGeneriX
- Cyprus Research and Innovation Center
- GeoImaging
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
- University of Patras
- Hellenic Air Force (via the Telecommunications and Electronics Workshop – ETHM)
A Milestone for Greek Defense Industry
The upcoming flight tests mark a historic moment for Greek defense technology—the first operational evaluation of a domestically developed stealth UAV with mothership capabilities for deploying smaller drones.
If successful, LOTUS could form the foundation for a new generation of Greek unmanned systems, significantly boosting the Hellenic Air Force’s capabilities and elevating Greece’s position in the European defense and technology landscape.
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