Shadowfax UAS company

Hybrid VTOL UAS for Long-Endurance Surveillance & Reconnaissance

Shadowfax UAS overview

Shadowfax UAS is a leading developer of rugged and reliable hybrid VTOL UAS (unmanned aerial systems) designed to provide long-endurance surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities under the most extreme conditions.

Our experienced team of aviation and engineering experts is committed to creating unmanned aircraft solutions with the utmost of excellence, and this pursuit of quality informs all of our decisions from the choice of each individual component to the people we employ.

SF30 Group 2/3 UAS

Rugged long-endurance hybrid VTOL ISR platform

The SF30

is an ITAR-free hybrid fixed-wing drone platform that has been designed from the ground up to provide a unique surveillance and reconnaissance capability with unmatched persistence. The VTOL capability allows it to operate with a low logistical footprint in highly demanding environments, with no need for runways or complex launching equipment. The entire system can be stored and transported in a single box, and assembled with a single tool in only 30 minutes.

The highly aerodynamic aircraft uses a sophisticated system of position locking motors to reduce drag in flight, and features fully autonomous landing for maximum safety even in the event of a propulsion or communications failure.

Field-swappable high-efficiency propulsion

The SF30 is powered by a field-swappable propulsion unit, based around a fuel-efficient four-stroke internal combustion engine with optional electronic fuel injection. The modular unit can be swapped out in seconds, enabling easy maintenance and repair and massively reducing downtime.

An onboard generator provides up to 100W of clean DC power at user-selectable voltages, allowing it to power a variety of onboard systems and equipment. The integrated fuel level sensor provides real-time data on fuel level and flow rates, which can be transmitted back to the ground control station.

Modular payload capabilities

The versatile platform has been designed with a spacious modular payload bay that accommodates up to 5 kg. Cameras, sensors, and other mission-critical equipment can be rapidly swapped out in the field, providing easy reconfiguration for true multi-mission capabilities.

The SF30 can also be equipped with a range of communications options, including SATCOM terminals, 4G cellular modems, and tactical MIMO radios. This ensures critical redundancy as well as enabling long-range and BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations in areas with limited communications infrastructure.

Portable dual-screen GCS

The SF30 unmanned aircraft is complemented by our rugged dual-screen ground control station, based around an embedded Intel I7 processor and providing high-performance computing capacity for complex flight, payload and tracking antenna operations. The system features hot-swappable batteries and also accepts external power input to ensure that it can handle the demands of long-endurance and persistent drone operations.

The GCS accepts a variety of USB and wireless peripherals, including HOTAS (Hands on Throttle and Stick) controls. A keyboard and mouse are provided as standard.

Applications

Military & Security
The SF30’s high-capacity payload bay can be equipped with a wide range of EO/IR gimbals and other imaging sensors. Combined with its impressive endurance and ability to withstand harsh environmental conditions, this makes it ideal for long-range ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) missions. It is also suited for a variety of other military and defense applications such as communications relay, target designation, and battlefield resupply.

Wide-Area Surveying
Able to cover massive areas in a single flight, the SF30 is an ideal platform for large-scale surveying, including use cases such as agriculture, mineral prospecting, and environmental monitoring.

Search & Rescue and Public Safety
Thanks to its persistent surveillance capabilities, the SF30 is an essential tool for public safety and emergency response personnel. Providing effective and efficient overwatch without putting people in harm’s way, it is ideal for firefighting and search and rescue, as well as border patrol, anti-poaching and more.

Cargo Delivery
With the ability to carry a wide range of cargo, the SF30 can be deployed for last-mile delivery, humanitarian aid, transportation of medical supplies, and other logistics applications.