Red Cat to Equip Australian Navy with Military-Grade Tricopters

Red Cat Holdings, Inc. has received a new contract and order for 12 of its FlightWave Edge 130 Blue system from the Royal Australian Navy. 

The contract was secured through Criterion Solutions Pty Ltd., an Australian-based distributor of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and information technology solutions.

FlightWave, a provider of VTOL drones, sensor and software solutions was acquired by Red Cat, a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, in September 2024. 

The acquisition brought FlightWave’s flagship drone, the Edge 130 Blue into its family of low-cost, portable unmanned reconnaissance and precision lethal strike systems. FlightWave’s size, weight and vertical take off capabilities makes it ideal for maritime operations and littoral environments.

The Edge 130 Blue is a UAS-certified military-grade tricopter for long-range mapping, inspection, surveillance, and reconnaissance needs. Designed specifically for government and military applications, the Edge 130 Blue can be assembled and hand-launched in just one minute by a single user to capture high-accuracy aerial imagery with medium-range autonomy. 

Weighing in at only 1200g, the Edge has a 60+ minute flight time in forward mode, an industry-leading endurance among all other Blue UAS-approved drones available.

Earlier this month, Red Cat introduced its ARACHNID™ family of unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and precision strike systems at AUSA 2024 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington D.C. As part of its ongoing innovation, Red Cat’s product roadmap includes TRICHON™, which will build upon the FlightWave Edge 130 Blue.

Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat, commented, “Our mission is to equip warfighters around the globe with cutting-edge sUAS technology. The Edge 130 Blue, with its advanced long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, offers a significant advantage in maritime and other challenging environments. 

“We are excited to expand our partnership with the Australian defense forces through this initial tranche of Edge 130 units. Their investment in small ISR and precision strike drones is vital for enhancing security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”