New eVTOL Fixed Wing from DeltaQuad Surpasses Limits of UAV Performance

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Dutch drone manufacturer DeltaQuad has begun the public beta phase for its Evo model, a new Vertical Takeoff and Landing capable fixed wing electric UAV developed for mapping, inspection, and surveillance.

Continue reading below, or listen:

An innovative design built with the latest developments in aerodynamics in mind, the Evo is surpassing previous eVTOL flight times and mission limitations. The aircraft will be made available in configurations for both commercial and military use.

“About two years ago, we noticed requirements for eVTOL drones were changing,” said DeltaQuad CEO Douwe Zeeman. “We saw a rapidly growing demand for increased flight times and flexible payload options, with a lower total cost of ownership.”

DeltaQuad set about to incorporate these demands into a new design. The model’s cutting-edge wing shape provides aerodynamic efficiency, increased wind resistance, and the ability to simultaneously operate two sensor payloads during a single flight. Maintenance expenses are also significantly reduced due to the aircraft’s modular design.

Together, the Evo’s two universal payload bays boast a total carrying capacity of 3 kg, allowing the platform to house an extensive suite of sensors for surveillance, mapping, multispectral imagery and LiDAR. This configuration renders the aircraft suitable for a wide range of use cases, while also making customization and the integration of future sensors a simple task. The Evo’s durable fiberglass, carbon and Kevlar airframe allows it to stand up to intensive use.

The integration of Auterion Skynode enables the Evo system to connect to Auterion Suite, providing real-time data delivery while the drone is in flight. Skynode utilizes the Auterion OS, which grants a variety of adaptable connectivity options to provide access to data workflows, custom apps, and AI for enterprise and government customers.

Since 2017, DeltaQuad has successfully manufactured its current DeltaQuad Pro model for a wide range of markets across the globe, ranging from agricultural to defense and geospatial to mining.

Read more about eVTOL fixed wing technology:

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.