Odys and Honeywell develop Laila VTOL drone for counter-UAS missions
AI Analysis
Odys Aviation and Honeywell are collaborating to develop the Laila-SAMURAI, a VTOL drone designed for counter-UAS missions, integrating Honeywell's SAMURAI platform. This system aims to protect critical infrastructure by providing an airborne defense layer against drone threats.
Key Takeaways
- Odys Aviation and Honeywell are developing the Laila-SAMURAI C-UAS system.
- The system integrates Honeywell's SAMURAI platform with Odys' Laila UAV.
- Laila-SAMURAI provides an airborne defense layer complementing ground-based systems.
- The system features radio-frequency detection and electro-optical sensing technologies.
- Laila has a hybrid propulsion system with an endurance of up to eight hours and a range of 450 miles.
Why It Matters
The development of the Laila-SAMURAI C-UAS system represents a strategic advancement in drone defense, offering a cost-effective alternative to kinetic defenses like interceptor missiles. Its ability to operate in remote areas enhances the protection of critical infrastructure, particularly distributed energy systems, against evolving drone threats.
Odys and Honeywell develop Laila VTOL drone for counter-UAS missions
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Odys Aviation and Honeywell have announced they will produce a C-UAS variant of the VTOL Laila. Laila is notable for its blown-wing lift system and is part of a broader effort to develop flying taxis and autonomous cargo drones by California start-up companies.
Odys and Honeywell to build Laila-SAMURAI C-UAS
Honeywell announced a week ago that it will collaborate with Odys Aviation “to deliver a persistent airborne defence solution designed to protect critical infrastructure and strategic assets from rapidly evolving drone threats.”
Photo: Odys Aviation
Honeywell says the counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) will integrate its SAMURAI Autonomous Airborne platform on Odys’ long-range Laila UAV.
The resulting Laila-SAMURAI system will provide a new defensive layer complementing ground-based sensors and high-end missile defence systems.
SAMURAI is a modular counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) architecture that integrates radio-frequency detection with electro-optical sensing technologies. It can incorporate interceptor drones to counter swarm threats.
Honeywell writes that Laila will serve as the first airborne application of its Honeywell SAMURAI system. Even though Honeywell does not produce aircraft directly, it is one of the world’s most important aerospace companies, with its systems found in almost all commercial and US military aircraft.
Zero. That’s how many feet of runway Laila or Alta will need to take off. It’s also the number of tilt rotors used on either aircraft. Our aircraft utilize flap-based thrust vectoring to direct thrust downward and provide vertical lift. Find out more: https://t.co/TDp98Qr2DU pic.twitter.com/MzPuciSklY
— Odys Aviation (@OdysAviation) January 14, 2026
Laila comes with a hybrid propulsion system and has an endurance of up to eight hours and a range of 450 miles. Honeywell notes, “Laila eliminates the need for dedicated charging infrastructure, enabling rapid deployment in remote, expeditionary, and offshore environments. “
Also read: Fiji Airways to flight test Odys hybrid-electric VTOL in 2026
Focus on protecting distributed energy infrastructure
The goal is to create a C-UAS system that will reduce reliance on costly kinetic defences (like interceptor missiles) and to extend the coverage over vast and remote areas.
Laila is complete! This is the pre-production prototype that will undergo flight testing in the United States. Laila was built at o