Esri Integrates Blue UAS Cleared Drone with ArcGIS Flight

Freefly Systems’ Astro Max Becomes First NDAA-Compliant Drone in Esri’s Geospatial Application

Esri has announced support for the Astro Max drone in its ArcGIS Flight application. The Astro Max, developed by Freefly Systems, is the first Blue UAS cleared and NDAA-compliant drone to integrate with the geospatial software1.

Enhanced Capabilities for Government and Enterprise Users

The Astro Max meets the security and performance standards of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Blue UAS initiative1. This American-made drone enhances the capabilities of government and enterprise users within the ArcGIS Flight application.

Brent Pierce, lead product engineer for ArcGIS Flight, stated, “With this integration, we’re not only meeting federal customers’ demands but also staying ahead of potential federal regulations.” He added, “This proactive step reinforces Esri’s commitment to our users’ success and solidifies our leadership in the drone mapping industry by providing them with a seamless and secure solution for drone operations.“

Features of ArcGIS Flight with Astro Max Integration

The ArcGIS Flight mobile app offers several key features for UAS pilots:

• Autonomous drone flight

• High-quality drone imagery capture

• Enhanced situational awareness

• Easy sharing of flight information

• Geospatial video collection with location and orientation data1

This integration aims to boost operational efficiency and provide a secure, integrated solution for critical missions, especially for U.S. government users1.

Astro Max Specifications

The Freefly Systems Astro Max boasts impressive specifications:

• Flight time: 38 minutes (no payload)

• Maximum payload: 1,500 g

• Propellers: 21 x 7.0″ (folding)

• Motor max continuous power output: 350 W

• Motor max instantaneous peak power output: 600 W28

Industry Impact

Esri’s support for the Astro Max marks a significant milestone in the drone industry. It provides government agencies and organizations with a trusted, secure, and high-performance drone solution that meets stringent security and compliance standards.

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