Paris, June 18, 2025 – In a major milestone for both Airbus Helicopters and the UAS industry, Australian aerospace start-up Drone Forge has signed a contract to acquire six Flexrotor systems, comprising a total of 17 aircraft. This marks the largest Flexrotor order to date, reinforcing the platform’s rising prominence in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Flexrotor—Airbus’ newest addition to its uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) portfolio—is a VTOL UAS built for long-endurance ISTAR missions, with 12–14 hours of operational capability. Compact and agile, it can autonomously take off and land from just a 3.7 x 3.7 m (12 x 12 ft) platform, making it ideal for expeditionary use on both land and sea.
Mission-Ready, Maritime-Optimised
Drone Forge’s fleet will feature:
- Heavy fuel engines, ideal for naval interoperability
- Starlink connectivity, for beyond-line-of-sight ops and real-time data
- PT-6 imaging systems, for stabilized high-resolution ISR performance
The systems will be used across littoral and high-altitude surveillance, infrastructure monitoring, and maritime environmental assessment missions.
“The Flexrotor will let us tap into new markets with a solution where real-time intelligence and reliability matter,” said Thomas Symes, CEO of Drone Forge.
“This landmark order is a testament to our shared vision,” added Olivier Michalon, EVP Global Business at Airbus Helicopters.
A Deeper Partnership
This agreement builds on a recent Letter of Intent between the two companies, which includes joint collaboration on operational integration and deployment strategies for the Flexrotor across the Asia-Pacific theater.
As demand for crew-autonomy integration and flexible ISR platforms grows, the Flexrotor is poised to become a key force multiplier for defence, civil security, and commercial operators alike.
