Drone Forge, an Australian aerospace start-up, has teamed up with Airbus Helicopters to purchase six Flexrotor uncrewed aerial systems, totaling 17 aircraft—the largest Flexrotor order so far. These ready-to-deploy Flexrotor UAS will be configured for a wide array of missions throughout the Asia-Pacific, from coastal surveillance and high-altitude inland operations to infrastructure inspection and maritime environment evaluation.
Each system is equipped with a heavy fuel engine designed for maritime conditions, ensuring enhanced safety, fuel availability, and seamless integration with naval assets. The UAS will also feature Starlink connectivity, allowing beyond-line-of-sight control and real-time situational data. In addition, the Flexrotor will utilize PT-6 imaging technology to provide stabilized, high-resolution ISR capabilities, enabling efficient maritime area monitoring.
The contract follows a recent Letter of Intent (LOI) signed by Airbus and Drone Forge, aimed at collaborating on the deployment and operational integration of the Flexrotor platform.
As Airbus’ newest UAS model, the Flexrotor is a VTOL drone weighing up to 25 kg (55 lbs), designed for ISTAR missions with flight endurance of 12 to 14 hours under typical configurations. It supports multiple payloads such as electro-optical and advanced sensor suites, customized to meet unique mission requirements. Its ability to autonomously launch and recover from land or sea, requiring just a 3.7 by 3.7 meter area, makes it especially suited for missions demanding a minimal footprint.
