Paris, France, 19 June 2025 – Australian aerospace start-up Drone Forge has placed a landmark order with Airbus Helicopters for six Flexrotor uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), comprising a total of 17 aircraft. The deal represents the largest order to date for the Flexrotor and underscores growing demand for advanced drone capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Flexrotor systems will be tailored for a wide range of operational missions across both coastal and inland environments, including littoral surveillance, high-altitude reconnaissance, infrastructure monitoring, and marine ecosystem assessments.Each UAS will be equipped with a heavy fuel engine, specially optimized for maritime use, which enhances safety, ensures broad fuel compatibility, and improves interoperability with naval platforms. Integrated Starlink satellite connectivity will enable beyond-line-of-sight communications and real-time situational awareness, expanding operational reach and flexibility.Additionally, the aircraft will be fitted with PT-6 imaging systems, providing stabilised, high-resolution ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) capabilities essential for wide-area maritime domain awareness.
