Mayfly
Type
Expendable Swarm Drone
Mission
Swarm Decoy · EW
Configuration
Fixed-Wing · Quadplane
TRL
1–2 · Concept
Mayfly is a named concept design by Slade Technologies. No hardware exists. Development has not commenced.
Platform Overview
Built to Be Spent. Effective in Numbers.
Expendable · Fixed-Wing · Quadplane
Mayfly
IADS employ dynamic fire control algorithms that prioritize threats in real time based on threat evaluation, asset value, engagement geometry, and interceptor inventory. Saturate that decision-making process with enough simultaneous tracks and the system degrades: tracking confidence drops, C2 throughput bottlenecks, and interceptors get spent on false targets before real assets arrive.
Four boom-mounted motors handle vertical takeoff and landing. In forward flight, the fixed wing takes over and provides the glide ratio for useful range without turbine propulsion. The forward fuselage stays clear for payload throughout.
Unit cost is a hard constraint. Airframe material, electronics, and manufacturing approach are chosen around it.
Key Constraint
The Mayfly must be cheap enough to spend without deliberation. Unit economics drive every design decision.
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Expendable Architecture
The Mayfly is built to be spent. Low-cost airframe, commodity electronics, no recovery infrastructure. The mission profile assumes it doesn't come back, and the design reflects that.
Design Rationale
Why This Platform
Expendable Architecture
Building for single use removes recovery systems, landing gear, and return navigation from the cost equation. No parachute, no runway dependency, no retrieval crew. Per-unit cost is the total mission cost.
Swarm Saturation
IADS use dynamic fire control algorithms to engage threats in priority order. Saturating the tracking layer with false contacts forces interceptor expenditure against low-value targets, degrades C2 throughput, and creates corridors for follow-on platforms.
Quadplane Configuration
Four boom-mounted motors handle vertical lift at takeoff and landing. The fixed wing carries the platform in cruise, keeping the forward fuselage free for payload without prop interference.
VTOL Flexibility
VTOL takeoff and landing from any flat surface. No runway required, no mechanical launcher, no retrieval crew. Hand-launch and air-drop are viable alternatives depending on deployment context.
Low Unit Cost
Commodity motors, off-the-shelf flight controllers, simple composite structure. The design is built around what it costs, not the other way around.
EW Payload Compatibility
Compact airframe provides internal volume for mission payloads designed to support electronic deception and SEAD operations. Payload configuration details available under NDA.
Also in Development
Get Involved
Interested in Mayfly?
Open to conversations with defense partners, investors, and engineers who see the same opportunity.
Full specifications and technical detail available under NDA — request a brief via contact.