01:00What do you think of the drone being able to be used in multiple different environments in so many places across the world now?
01:36I think it's not what any of us set out to do, but clearly under the circumstances it's a way that we can make a meaningful contribution.
01:55Okay. And you mentioned that the drone can carry around 100 kilos over a certain wind span.
02:02How is it able to do that in all these different environments in all different weathers such as storms and et cetera?
02:08How is it able to do that?
02:08So we've got a very robust, stable, resilient airframe. The Mark II as well. We doubled the power of the engines. So that really helps in adverse weather conditions.
02:21And we've got a fantastic control system as well that can really deal with that.
02:25And finally, what future uses do you think this drone will be used for?
02:30Yeah, so I think we'll be proceeding with the use cases we have already. Other applications like search and rescue, wildfire detection and prevention could be areas for us.
02:46Yeah. But really we'd like to focus on bringing the cost down and producing these in numbers that can really make a difference.
02:53Why do you think that focus on producing it in numbers? Is that just to help multiple use cases, help lots of different people across the world more?
03:00Yeah, absolutely. I think the demand has been encouraging so far. Yeah, we've got plenty of customers and it's a case of just filling the order back really.
03:16I've started in 2015. I had a vision of what I felt could be done in this sector and what I'm doing.
03:46What we could do. And actually, so far, everything's come out to plan, which is amazing, well, within limits.
03:53And it's just, it is worked out. And I can see a trajectory in which, if anything, will accelerate.
04:03This is a new sector. It's a growing industry. There's huge potential for it.
04:08So, hopefully, we'll look back at this and think, well, we're in that little old place in Ferrum.
04:14But hopefully, we'll grow in size and take over a few of the other lots around here.
04:20And we see that this drone is now used in multiple locations across the world for various different uses.
04:26Was that the main aim with the concept of it?
04:29Absolutely.
04:29To be able to be used in these different environments?
04:30Yeah, it was right from the start. I used the phrase, we want to create the Jeep of the Skies so that it's a rugged, dependable unit which can be used in a wide variety of roles.
04:47So, that was the concept right from the start. Now, I think that's a big advantage because, unfortunately, they specialize too much.
04:56The market's still quite nascent. It's growing. And we can't just rely on one particular use case. It's not efficient.
05:06You need to, well, what we see, you know, we talk about is fly the mail in the morning, deliver some agricultural product in the afternoon and in the evening fly some surveying.
05:19We need to be able to perform multiple roles in order to actually use the platforms to their fullest extent.
05:25And why do you think the drone sector is expanding as much as it is?
05:28Well, I think the Ukrainians have shown us this. They've shown it's transformed the way the military field and, frankly, there's a direct read-over into civil.
05:41So, if you, I want you coming down here today on the transport links, which are great in this country, but still, there's delayed, there's traffic, there's congestion.
05:52And when you go up into the sky, it's a 3D rather than 2D, and you've got endless capacity up there.
06:00And ultimately, I think we'll have to utilize that capacity in order to grow our transport links.
06:08You mentioned that, obviously, with this expanded drone factory, 15 new jobs for Fairham and potentially more come next year.
06:14What do you think of Fairham as the location for this business and the wider ports of the area?
06:19Yeah, there's such a tradition of aviation in this whole area, and engineering.
06:27I think the death of British engineering has been much exaggerated.
06:34There is a lot of supplies.
06:36So, I'd make your point, we're hiring 50 direct jobs, but then in a supply chain, there'll be loads more.
06:44And so, we actually have a huge range of great engineering companies in this area, who are essential for us to develop and to grow, and we draw a lot of support from.
07:01And so, we're not here by accident.
07:04So, do you think the economic impact on the area through the defence sector is much bigger?
07:08Because you mentioned not only the jobs that you're employing, but also the knock-on supply chain.
07:12Yes, well, I think ultimately, from a defence point of view, we want to create here a sovereign capability.
07:21And so, actually, to have our supply chain predominantly in the UK, if not exclusively in the UK, there's a great logic from a military point of view or defence point of view to do that.
07:32And so, yeah, I think that will do.
07:35I now think the expansion of defence, which this government is pursuing, here I am clearly fully support, will ripple right through the economy.
07:47And it won't be just to defence companies, but a much wider group.
07:52As you say, the government said it would prioritise British businesses for MOD contracts.
07:57Are you seeing that yourself in the sector?
07:59We're getting great support from the Ministry of Defence, and they're our prime customer, and it's great working for them.
08:10I don't come from a defence background, and we're a new company.
08:16We're a disruptor in this, and I think the level of support and encouragement we've had from the MOD and the Government in general has been great.
08:24But, let's face it, there's a big task ahead of us, right across Europe, to rearm to the appropriate level which we need to defend our interests.
08:34So, we are very much committed to supporting that and play our role in it.
08:41And MOD really are expanding as far as they can, and it's also supporting SMEs to be able to play a part in that story.
08:52And finally, the MOD is pushing, and the Government-wide is pushing, defence as the engine for growth for jobs over there.
08:59We've heard this several times.
09:01Are you seeing that yourself as the engine for growth?
09:04Well, yeah, I know 50 jobs is, I know it's over a 50% increase for us.
09:09So, yeah, we are the ground zero in that, and so, yeah, we are.
09:15And I think it is terrible we have to have to do all this rearmament, the reasons behind it,
09:23but there is a massive benefit from the economic point of view.
09:28It's a massive fiscal stimulus which really will benefit the man in the street, ultimately.
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