Destinus
| File:Destinus company logo.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | March 2021 |
| Founders | Mikhail Kokorich |
| Headquarters | , |
Key people | Mikhail Kokorich Cornelius Borsch Pedro Duque Michel Friedling Philipp Rosler Oleksandr Danylyuk |
| Products | Hypersonic Aircraft Design, Drones, Gas Turbines |
| Website | destinus |
Destinus Group BV is a privately held European aerospace firm established in 2021 in Payerne, Switzerland. The company’s core expertise lies in supersonic and hypersonic flight technologies, hydrogen propulsion, dual-use systems, and energy generation.
Founder
The inception of the company occurred in 2021 under the leadership of Mikhail Kokorich, a physicist, inventor, and serial entrepreneur. In 2011, Kokorich launched Russia’s pioneering private space enterprise, Dauria.
In 2012, he moved to the United States and set up the space ventures Astro Digital and Momentus in California. Astro Digital specializes in satellite data analysis and distribution, primarily serving the US Department of Defense. Momentus developed satellite transport vehicles capable of relocating satellites between orbits using an innovative propulsion system powered solely by water and solar energy. The company secured over $100 million in venture funding and reached a valuation of $4 billion. However, relations with Russia deteriorated during the Trump administration.
Due to his role as founder, CEO, and majority stakeholder in companies critical to national security, Kokorich faced increasing governmental scrutiny. Launch approvals were withheld, and regulatory actions by the SEC ensued, compelling him to divest his shares at a nominal value.
At the beginning of 2021, Kokorich shifted his operations to Europe and established Destinus.
The company
Destinus’ initial prototype, named Jungfrau, completed its inaugural flight in November 2021 at an airfield close to Munich. This test successfully validated a hypersonic aerodynamic design inspired by the waverider concept at low velocity.
In early 2022, Destinus secured funding amounting to 26.8 million Swiss francs (around US$29 million) to advance hypersonic hydrogen propulsion and related technologies. Throughout that year, the company reached significant milestones, including the first flight of their Eiger prototype and the validation of their hydrogen-fueled afterburner technology.
By June 2022, Destinus partnered with Spanish engine manufacturer ITP Aero to collaboratively develop a hydrogen engine test platform and demonstrate their hydrogen combustion research, supported directly by the Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA). This initiative was designated a strategic project under Spain’s Plan de Tecnologías Aeronáuticas (PTA) by the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico e Industrial, the program agency of the Spanish Ministry of Science. The grant facilitates building a test facility near Madrid for air-breathing hydrogen engines, with Destinus contributing to its design and testing activities. A second grant supports research into liquid hydrogen engine technologies aimed at pioneering propulsion methods for future hydrogen-powered supersonic aircraft. The total investment in this latter project reaches €15 million.
In November 2022, Michel Friedling—the first general from the French Air and Space Force to lead the French Space Command—joined Destinus’ strategic committee as an advisor, motivated by his commitment to advancing decarbonized hypersonic aviation.
January 2023 saw former Ukrainian Finance Minister Oleksandr Danylyuk appointed as Senior Vice President of Defense at Destinus, bringing extensive financial expertise and governmental experience to the company’s leadership team.
In February 2023, the Spanish government awarded Destinus approximately €27 million in grants for two projects aimed at expanding hydrogen propulsion capabilities. These initiatives involve collaboration with various companies, technology centers, and universities across Spain as part of the country’s ambition to become a global leader in renewable hydrogen production and hydrogen mobility solutions.
During 2023, Destinus established agreements with the Commune of Payerne to support the construction of a hydrogen testing facility aligned with their plans. This site will facilitate further development of next-generation propulsion systems combining jet engines and hydrogen-fueled afterburners.
Destinus successfully completed test flights for its first two subsonic prototypes in 2022. The company reports that its third prototype, Destinus 3, is on schedule for a hydrogen-powered flight planned for early 2024.
At the June 2023 Paris Air Show, Destinus revealed its third demonstrator, Destinus 3. If flown successfully, it would become the world’s first liquid hydrogen-powered supersonic unmanned aircraft, targeting speeds up to Mach 1.3. The prototype measures 10 meters in length and weighs approximately 2 tonnes. It features Destinus’ proprietary hydrogen afterburner and an autopilot system. The initial subsonic flight is anticipated in early 2024, with supersonic testing campaigns expected later that year.
In October 2023, Destinus announced plans to build the "Destinus H2 Park" in partnership with the Swiss Aeropole technology park located in Payerne and Innovaud, the innovation agency of the canton of Vaud. This facility represents Switzerland’s first private test site dedicated to hydrogen propulsion systems and ranks as Europe’s third such installation.
During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Destinus began designing and manufacturing drones for Ukrainian forces. Due to Swiss restrictions on military production, drone components are produced outside Switzerland and then assembled within Ukraine.
In August 2025, Destinus reached an agreement to acquire Zurich-based artificial intelligence aviation firm Daedalean for CHF 180 million.
Relocation of Headquarters
In November 2024, the company resolved to transfer its headquarters along with a portion of its operations to the Netherlands. This shift coincided with the group prioritizing military applications, which became its main focus. Consequently, Swiss arms export regulations began to pose challenges for the business.
The Swiss division based in Payerne will maintain responsibility for engine development, electronics, and software engineering.
Financial Overview
By November 2024, the company's market capitalization had reached CHF650 million. The start-up is preparing for an upcoming fundraising round aimed at elevating its market value to CHF1 billion.
Revenue projections for 2024 estimate a turnover of CHF120 million, with expectations to increase between CHF250 million and CHF300 million within the same year.
Flight Demonstrators
- Jungfrau ("Destinus-1", subsonic)
- A 4 m (13 ft) prototype intended to validate flight performance of a hypersonic aerodynamic design based on a waverider concept at reduced speeds. This demonstrator was designed, constructed, and flight-tested within four months, with its maiden flight occurring in November 2021. Multiple successful test campaigns took place throughout 2021 and 2022. The first hydrogen-powered flight for Destinus-1 is planned for Q2 2023, featuring a new propulsion system developed by Destinus that integrates turbojet engines with afterburner technology.
- Eiger ("Destinus-2", subsonic)
- A 10 m (33 ft) vehicle created to further explore hypersonic aerodynamic concepts initiated by Destinus-1. This demonstrator was designed, built, and underwent initial testing over six months, with its inaugural flight campaign in April 2022. Following this, Destinus-2 received further enhancements and analysis, leading to a second flight campaign conducted in October 2022.
- Destinus-3 (supersonic)
- This 10 m (33 ft)-long craft with a wingspan of 3.5 m (11 ft) is engineered to achieve supersonic speeds utilizing hydrogen afterburner technology alongside an innovative autopilot system developed internally by Destinus. Designed between 2022 and 2023, this demonstrator is scheduled for multiple flight campaigns during 2023 and 2024.
Military drones
- Destinus LORD
- A highly affordable, multi-purpose UAV constructed using readily available components. It is capable of executing tasks including intelligence gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance, monitoring, mapping, cargo transport, signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT), UAV pilot training, electronic jamming, and functioning as a loitering munition.
- Destinus RUTA
- A cost-effective, rapid UAV that launches with the assistance of a booster and is powered by a turbojet engine. It recovers via parachutes and airbags. Its design resembles that of the MdCN missile. The RUTA’s applications include intelligence collection, rapid-response surveillance, emergency disaster aid, urgent cargo delivery, target practice, and strike operations.
- Destinus HORNET
- Available in three variants—Hunter, Stalker, and Plotter—the Hornet UAV features a modular design allowing payloads to be swapped directly in the field. Engineered for adaptability, Destinus describes it as an autonomous drone requiring minimal upkeep. It offers a more economical air defense option against drones compared to traditional methods and shares a configuration similar to the IAI Harop.
- Its primary roles encompass surveillance, intelligence gathering, 3D terrain mapping, training exercises, data relay functions, and drone interception.
- Destinus D
- The Destinus-D represents an upcoming hypersonic UAV designed to reach speeds around Mach 5. It will utilize a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) engine integrating a turbine engine with ramjet and scramjet technologies powered by liquid hydrogen fuel. Its mission focus is on intercepting airborne targets.
- Maximum speed: Mach 5
- Maximum takeoff weight (MTOW): approximately 1.8 tonnes
- Length: 20 meters
- Wingspan: 6.5 meters
- Destinus E
- The Destinus-E is a jet-powered UAV with an MTOW of 3 tonnes and carries up to 0.5 tonnes of payload distributed between external hardpoints and an internal bomb bay. It is propelled by the Destinus T1300 Prometheus turbojet engine and aims to provide a low-cost solution for various missions. Control options include remote piloting or autonomous operation via artificial intelligence.
- Flight tests are targeted for 2025 with initial deliveries anticipated in 2026.
- Destinus G
- This substantially larger UAV has an MTOW of 5.5 tonnes and is engineered for supersonic speeds exceeding Mach 2 (approximately 2,470 km/h). It can be operated remotely or autonomously through AI systems. Its intended purposes include intercepting hostile aircraft and missiles or serving as an unmanned wingman alongside manned fighters.
Civilian Passenger Aircraft Concepts
- Destinus S
- The Destinus S represents a conceptual design for an aircraft powered by four advanced engines modified to operate on liquid hydrogen. According to the company, this model is projected to achieve a cruising velocity of Mach 5 and accommodate 25 passengers.[1]
- Destinus L
- This is a proposed aircraft concept intended to transport up to 400 passengers globally within a timeframe of two to three hours, based on company projections. The design aims for a cruise speed reaching Mach 6.[2]
Energy
OP16 Gas Turbine: In April 2023, Destinus SA acquired the Dutch firm OPRA, subsequently rebranding it as Destinus Energy. The company maintains production of the OPRA OP16 gas turbine, engineered for versatile fuel compatibility, compact design, extended operational intervals between major maintenance, and elevated exhaust heat output.[3]
Additional Developments
- Hydrogen Propulsion System: Destinus has internally developed a hydrogen-fueled afterburner. Their propulsion strategy involves creating a hybrid engine integrating traditional jet turbines running on Jet A fuel with afterburners powered by hydrogen. An afterburner is a supplementary combustion unit designed to boost thrust output. The goal is to pioneer the first-ever flight utilizing post-combustion technology.
Memberships
- Destinus Spain
- PAE
- AZEA
Funding and Grants
- Destinus Spain
- PTA 2022 – collaborators include ITP Aero, Auto Juntas, Aerotecnic Metallic[4]
- PERTE H2 2022 – partners: CiTD
See Also
References
- ↑ Nouvelle, L'Usine (7 April 2023). "L'avion hypersonique à hydrogène de Destinus, soutenu par l'aéroport de Rochefort, est-il viable ?". usinenouvelle.com (in français).
- ↑ Syme, Taylor Rains, Pete. "A European jet startup wants to fly people from New York to London in 90 minutes using a hypersonic jet. See what the plane could look like". Business Insider. Retrieved 12 July 2023.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Kuitert, Gerben (17 April 2023). "Doorgestart OPRA gaat in Hengelo mogelijk ook vliegtuigmotoren bouwen". Algemeen Dagblad (in Nederlands). Retrieved 29 May 2023.
- ↑ Lofqvist, Martina (6 April 2023). "New Hydrogen Projects Worth 27M Euros supported by the Spanish Government - Destinus". Destinus.ch. Retrieved 25 May 2023.