The X721 Heliblade drone completed its first flight in the region of Aquitaine on 24 July 2026. The flight took place at the CESA Drone test center in Saint-Hélène, near Bordeaux. The drone, developed by the startup X721, was later showcased at the UAV Show 2026 in Bordeaux from 7 to 9 October 2026. During the event, the company presented the Heliblade as a versatile technology with potential uses in both civilian and military contexts, primarily for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) and observation tasks. The drone is designed to operate at high altitudes, aiming to complement existing satellite and aerial observation systems. The initial test flight of the Heliblade, designated M001, consisted of two phases. The first involved a level flight at 15 meters, followed by a second at 35 meters. While this marked a significant milestone, the startup is still far from achieving its ultimate goal: reaching the stratosphere. The company plans to conduct test flights at altitudes between 1,000 and 3,000 meters by the end of 2027, and to reach the stratosphere—between 10 and 50 kilometers in altitude—by the end of 2028. This ambition is part of a broader program that has already received support from the French Air and Space Force and the DGA, France's defense procurement agency. The X721 Heliblade features a unique design that sets it apart from conventional drones. It is equipped with multiple wings that use centrifugal force to maintain stability and structural integrity. This innovative approach was inspired by the natural behavior of a maple seed, which spins through the air like a miniature helicopter. This natural autogyro effect, which captivates children and has intrigued scientists, provided the designers with a novel way to achieve lift and maneuverability. The startup X721 was founded by Pierre-Eric Lys in Dubai and has recently established a subsidiary in Nouvelle-Aquitaine as part of the Bordeaux Technowest innovation cluster. The name of the startup, X721, comes from a simulated flight test conducted in March 2025, when a prototype of the Heliblade reached an altitude of 72,100 feet. This test demonstrated the potential of the design and marked a key step toward the company's long-term goals.