FlightWave Aerospace
FlightWave Aerospace specializes in developing long-range, autonomous VTOL drones and sensors, with their flagship product, the Edge 130, designed for seamless transitions between multi-rotor and fixed-wing flight modes.
Company Overview
FlightWave Aerospace specializes in developing long-range, autonomous VTOL drones and sensors. Their flagship product, the Edge 130, transitions seamlessly between multi-rotor and fixed-wing flight modes. Notable for its applications in both commercial and defense sectors, the company focuses on advanced autopilot technology, allowing missions to be planned and executed with minimal manual intervention.
Products
The Edge 130 is FlightWave Aerospace's flagship product, capable of transitioning between multi-rotor and fixed-wing flight modes. The Edge 130 Blue variant can fly for over 2 hours in forward flight mode and withstand winds up to 40 mph. The Mapping Array can cover over 1600 acres in a single 90-minute flight. Additional products include the Overwatch Gimbal, which records 4k-30fps video and thermal video at 640x512 resolution, and the Edge 130 Blue Pro Kit, which includes a variety of accessories such as a ground control station and camera payloads.
Military and Defense Applications
The Edge 130 has been approved for procurement by the U.S. Department of Defense under the DIU’s Blue sUAS Program. The Edge 130 Blue, a military-grade tricopter, is suited for mapping, inspection, surveillance, and reconnaissance. It features encrypted AES 128/256 radios for enhanced security, navigation beacons for safe recovery, and can be assembled and hand-launched in just one minute by a single user.
Commercial Applications
FlightWave's drones are utilized in various commercial applications such as environmental monitoring, construction, energy and utility inspection, public safety, emergency services, and land surveying. The Edge 130’s capability to transition between multi-rotor and fixed-wing flight without pilot input makes it highly versatile for different operational needs. The smooth control surfaces and patented ‘tilt-pod’ motors ensure precise flight control for detailed mapping and surveillance activities.
Technology and Features
FlightWave's drones come with advanced features such as an enhanced autopilot system, which allows entire missions to be planned and executed effortlessly. The payload interface is open, enabling quick swaps without tools or special equipment. The Mapping Array includes three 13MP CMOS cameras, collecting 39MP of image data at up to 5 frames per second. The Overwatch EOIR Gimbal offers electro-optical infrared capabilities on a 3-axis gimbal-stabilized platform.