Australian aerospace start-up Drone Forge and Airbus Helicopters have entered into an agreement to acquire six Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS) packages, totaling 17 aircraft, marking the largest single order for the Flexrotor to date. These mission-ready Flexrotor units will be tailored to meet diverse operational demands across the Asia-Pacific region, including littoral surveillance, high-altitude inland tasks, infrastructure monitoring, and maritime environment assessments.
Each UAS will be powered by a heavy fuel engine optimized for maritime use, enhancing safety, fuel accessibility, and compatibility with naval platforms. The systems will also feature Starlink connectivity for beyond-line-of-sight operations and real-time situational awareness. Furthermore, the Flexrotor will include PT-6 imaging technology, delivering stabilized, high-resolution intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for broad-area maritime monitoring.
This agreement follows a recent Letter of Intent (LOI) between Airbus and Drone Forge, focusing on collaborative deployment and operational integration of the Flexrotor UAS.
As Airbus’ latest UAS addition, the Flexrotor is a modern Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) drone with a maximum launch weight of 25 kg (55 lbs). Designed primarily for ISTAR missions lasting 12 to 14 hours, it supports various payloads such as electro-optical systems and advanced sensors tailored to customer mission profiles. Its autonomous launch and recovery capabilities from land or sea, requiring only a compact 3.7 by 3.7 meter footprint, make it ideal for expeditionary operations with minimal logistical needs.
