Australian aerospace start-up Drone Forge and Airbus Helicopters have finalized an agreement to acquire six Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS) packages totaling 17 aircraft, marking the largest Flexrotor order to date. These mission-ready Flexrotor units will be tailored to support a wide range of operational tasks across the Asia-Pacific, from littoral surveillance and high-altitude inland missions to infrastructure inspection and maritime environment monitoring.
Each UAS will be powered by a heavy fuel engine optimized for maritime operations, ensuring enhanced safety, fuel accessibility, and seamless integration with naval assets. Additionally, Starlink connectivity will enable beyond-line-of-sight control and real-time situational awareness. The Flexrotor will also feature PT-6 imaging technology, delivering stabilized, high-resolution intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for broad maritime monitoring.
This agreement closely follows a recent Letter of Intent (LOI) between Airbus and Drone Forge, under which the two companies collaborate on the deployment and operational integration of the Flexrotor.
The Flexrotor is Airbus’ latest addition to its UAS lineup—a modern Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) drone weighing up to 25 kg (55 lbs), designed for ISTAR missions lasting 12 to 14 hours. It supports a variety of payloads including electro-optical and advanced sensor systems tailored to specific mission needs. Its autonomous launch and recovery from land or sea, requiring only a compact 3.7 by 3.7 meter (12 by 12 feet) footprint, makes it ideal for expeditionary missions with minimal logistical requirements.
