Drone Forge, an Australian aerospace start-up, has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters to purchase six Flexrotor uncrewed aerial systems, comprising a total of 17 aircraft—the largest single Flexrotor order so far. These ready-to-deploy Flexrotor UAS will be configured to meet diverse operational demands across the Asia-Pacific region, ranging from coastal surveillance and high-altitude inland tasks to infrastructure monitoring and maritime environmental assessment.
Each system will include a heavy fuel engine optimized for maritime use to provide improved safety, readily available fuel, and interoperability with naval vessels. The UAS will also incorporate Starlink connectivity, enabling beyond-line-of-sight missions and real-time situational data. Moreover, the Flexrotor will be equipped with PT-6 imaging technology, providing stabilized, high-resolution ISR capabilities for effective wide-area maritime monitoring.
This deal follows a recent Letter of Intent (LOI) signed by Airbus and Drone Forge, focusing on joint efforts for the Flexrotor’s deployment and operational integration.
As Airbus’ newest UAS model, the Flexrotor is a VTOL drone with a maximum launch weight of 25 kg (55 lbs), designed for ISTAR missions with flight endurance of 12 to 14 hours in typical configurations. It can accommodate various payloads such as electro-optical systems and advanced sensors, tailored to meet specific mission requirements. Its autonomous land or sea launch and recovery capability, needing only a 3.7 by 3.7 meter space, makes it well suited for expeditionary missions requiring a minimal footprint.
