Australian start-up Drone Forge and Airbus Helicopters have entered into an agreement to purchase six Flexrotor UAS packages, consisting of 17 aircraft in total—the largest order for the Flexrotor to date. These mission-ready systems will be configured to address a broad spectrum of operational needs in the Asia-Pacific region, including littoral surveillance, high-altitude inland missions, infrastructure monitoring, and maritime environment assessments.
Each UAS features a heavy fuel engine tailored for maritime operations, offering enhanced safety, fuel availability, and compatibility with naval assets. The system also integrates Starlink connectivity to enable beyond-line-of-sight operations and real-time situational awareness. Additionally, the Flexrotor will be outfitted with PT-6 imaging technology for stabilized, high-resolution ISR capabilities suited to wide-area maritime monitoring.
This agreement follows closely on the heels of a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed earlier between Airbus and Drone Forge, where the companies collaborate on deployment and operational integration of the Flexrotor.
As the newest UAS in Airbus’ portfolio, the Flexrotor is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft with a maximum launch weight of 25 kg (55 lbs). It is designed for ISTAR missions lasting 12 to 14 hours under typical operational conditions and can carry various payloads such as electro-optical systems and advanced sensors customized to customer requirements. With autonomous launch and recovery capabilities from land or sea needing just a 3.7 by 3.7 meter (12 by 12 feet) area, the Flexrotor is ideally suited for expeditionary missions with minimal logistical footprint.
