The Hydra 400 concept can carry three devastating Brimstone missiles like those blitzing Russian tanks in Ukraine.

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A defence source said the weapon — pioneered by the Army’s experimental warfare team — will give troops “an Apache gunship in the boot of their car”.

It only takes six minutes to launch and can hit tanks more than 20 miles away.

The UK-made weapon is the centrepiece of the DSEI arms fair, which opens in London today.

It is powered by quadcopter rotors and six jet engines that boost its lift.

It is due to be tested later this year at a major military exercise after similar weapons were used successfully in Ukraine.

But sources warned that British red tape means it could take up to five years before the Hydra 400 is cleared to fire Brimstones on UK ranges.

Major Matt McGarvey-Miles, head of Army experimentation, said: “We have been working on it since 2021.”

Andy Allen, from missile-makers MBDA, said: “Hydra is a game-changer.

“This is a cheap man’s Air Force.”