This project, known as Quetzal, was officially presented during the Mexico Aerospace Fair (FAMEX) 2025 and marks a key moment for the country’s aeronautical industry. The drone has been designed to perform surveillance, public safety, rescue, and environmental monitoring functions, standing out for its ability to operate in complex terrain thanks to its vertical and conventional takeoff and landing system.
According to statements by UNAQ Rector Enrique Sosa, the prototype is expected to make its first flights in the first half of 2025. If the tests are successful, the Mexican Army is expected to begin serial production starting in 2026, which would allow the gradual replacement of foreign drone acquisitions, reducing costs and strengthening national operational capacity.
The drone, developed entirely with Mexican technology, promises to be more affordable than its international counterparts, which would facilitate its adoption in various strategic areas. The development process has involved more than 20 students and 10 professors from UNAQ, along with specialists from Sedena (National Ministry of Education) and the Center for Innovation and Development of the Mexican Air Force (CIDEFAM).
Participating disciplines include aeronautical mechanical design, electronics, control systems, and specialized manufacturing. Additionally, the university plans to open a doctoral program in aeronautical engineering in September 2025, consolidating its role as a high-level training center.
Beyond the military, the drone has relevant civilian applications, such as ecosystem monitoring, natural disaster response, and the transport of medical supplies. Fully funded by Sedena (National Ministry of Education), the Quetzal Project represents a strategic commitment to national talent, innovation, and technological self-sufficiency. This effort not only seeks to build drones, but also to cement a more autonomous and resilient future for Mexico.
Source: meganoticias
