Destinus Making Supersonic Hydrogen Drone in 2026, AI Controlled Hypersonic Drones and Plane

Destinus is a startup developing hydrogen powered hypersonic drones and planes. They are headquartered in Switzerland.

Destinus has received $58+M funding from private and public sources. In 2026, they plan to test the supersonic hydrogen prototype, and by 2030, to build a hypersonic airplane.

The design of Destinus E is set to make its first flight in 2025. Powered by the Destinus T1300 Prometheus turbojet engine, it is scheduled for delivery beginning in 2026. Destinus E will be developed with a low-cost approach in mind for the airframe, engine, and avionics design.

Delta prototype uses a hybrid hydrogen TBCC propulsion to reach hypersonic speed. Cryogenic hydrogen is stored in mass-efficient structural tanks and cool leading edges, intakes, and inlet air before it enters TJE and ramjet. A structure built from steel can withstand high temperatures of hypersonic flight. They have designed the Destinus D, as an AI-controlled hypersonic UAV, powered by a TBCC engine with liquid hydrogen as a fuel and designed for Mach 5+ interception missions of airborne targets, such as enemy aircraft, subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic missiles.

The Destinus G is a 5.5-ton MTOW, remotely or AI-piloted, jet-powered supersonic UAV designed for Mach 2+ interdiction of airborne targets such as enemy aircraft, subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic missiles.

Modern defense requires high-supersonic, low-cost, AI-controlled UAVs versatile enough to act as wingmen for piloted jets or as interceptors.