Australian Startup Orders Flexrotor Drones From Airbus
Australian aerospace startup Drone Forge has signed a deal to acquire mission-ready Flexrotor uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from Airbus Helicopters.
The agreement consists of six Flexrotor UAS with a total of 17 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones. They will be configured to support a wide range of tasks across land and sea in the Asia-Pacific, including littoral surveillance and high-altitude inland missions.
Flexrotor is classified as a Group 2 tactical VTOL drone with an operational endurance of 12 to 14 hours, performing missions including intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance, maritime warfare, and search and rescue.
“The landmark order opens a new chapter in our partnership with Drone Forge, reinforcing our shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities to Asia-Pacific operators,” said Olivier Michalon, Executive VP of Global Business at Airbus Helicopters.
Made for Expeditionary Missions
Flexrotor is one of the latest additions to Airbus’ UAS portfolio, following the company’s acquisition of Aerovel — the original manufacturer of the Flexrotor — in January 2024.
The VTOL drone is designed for autonomous launch and recovery in compact 3.7 by 3.7-meter (12 by 12 feet) zones, enabling deployment from ships or rugged terrain with minimal infrastructure.
Measuring 2 meters (7 feet) long with a 3-meter (9.8 feet) wingspan, it has a maximum launch weight of 25 kilograms (55 pounds). It can integrate various payloads of up to 8 kilograms (18 pounds), such as electro-optical systems and advanced sensors.
It has a top speed of 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour.
To boost operational effectiveness, each drone will be fitted with a heavy fuel engine optimized for naval platforms, improving safety, fuel access, and interoperability.
Starlink connectivity will enable beyond-line-of-sight operations and real-time situational awareness, while PT-6 imaging systems will deliver stabilized, high-resolution intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities.
“We are fully convinced that the Flexrotor, built on a strong engineering heritage, will allow us to tap into new markets with a proven solution where real-time intelligence, mission flexibility, and reliability matter,” said Drone Forge CEO Thomas Symes.
“We look forward to integrating and commercialising the Flexrotor systems in the region,” he added.
