The new dual-battery aircraft holds full control on a single battery if one fails, keeps a one-to-one flight-to-charge ratio on A2Z AirDocks, and stays under the 55-pound (25 kg) commercial ceiling.
A2Z Drone Delivery unveiled the Longtail Dual on August 31, 2026 from Torrance, California. The multi-mission drone carries two batteries with true redundancy. It holds full flight control on a single battery if one fails. Smart battery features track cell temperature, cycle count and cell balance. One hour of flight matches one hour of charge on the company’s A2Z AirDocks. The design targets FAA Part 107 waivers, Part 135 operator paths and EASA Specific Operations Risk Assessment.
“As drone missions continue to expand to more complex urban and densely populated environments, the Longtail Dual offers an added layer of safety for our aircraft operating DFR, delivery, or other beyond-visual-line-of-sight mission parameters over cities, critical infrastructure, etc.,” said Aaron Zhang, CEO of A2Z Drone Delivery. “This new dual battery design makes a minimal tradeoff of payload capacity for added operational capability, but with roughly 85% of drone delivery missions carrying payloads under 6 pounds, the Longtail Dual still meets the majority of these payload demands while incorporating the added safety redundancy of a dual battery design, all without exceeding the common 55-pound maximum takeoff weight for commercial UAVs.”
Longtail Dual safety and connectivity
The hexacopter airframe absorbs single-motor failures. Dual-redundant cellular connections switch between carriers for uninterrupted telemetry. Onboard battery heating covers cold weather, and a standby mode cuts power between missions. An onboard strobe boosts visibility to crewed and uncrewed traffic. Controller Area Network bus motors report real-time performance. An IPX4 rating covers medium rain. Optional add-ons include a parachute and an ADS-B in module.
Longtail Dual Cargo and Patrol
The Longtail Dual Cargo integrates the A2Z RDS2 winch for last-mile delivery and sample retrieval. Maximum payload is 11 pounds (5 kilograms). A downward-facing LiDAR sensor supports drop-offs, and dual FPV cameras cover situational awareness. With the optional parachute, payload drops to 5.84 pounds (2.65 kilograms).
The Longtail Dual Patrol covers up to 12 miles (19 kilometers) per mission for surveillance and DFR work. The quad-sensor gimbal pairs a 48-megapixel 11x optical-zoom camera with a 48-megapixel wide-angle camera. A 1,200-meter (3,937-foot) laser rangefinder and a 640 x 512 thermal sensor complete the payload. A high-power LED spotlight and megaphone extend response-team capability.
More information is available at A2Z Drone Delivery.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
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