ARK Electronics

ARK Electronics is a leading provider of state-of-the-art electronic hardware components and technologies for mission-critical drone and robotics platforms.

Every item in our product portfolio, which includes flight controllers, GNSS receivers, sensors and electronic speed controllers, is designed and manufactured in the USA in ISO9001 and/or AS9001D certified facilities, with a focus on strict NDAA compliance requirements. To date, thirteen of our products have been selected for inclusion in the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS Framework.

Backed by the highest-quality manufacturing processes and a robust supply chain, our solutions are ideal for meeting the demanding requirements of defense and government drone and robotics programs. ARK Electronics critical components have been selected for a variety of Blue UAS-qualified vehicles, U.S. DoD projects, and many international platforms from leading manufacturers in the industry, directly in international defense programs.

Drone Flight Controllers

Our board-level NDAA-compliant drone flight controllers are ideal for inclusion into government and defense UAV and drone platforms. Featuring PX4 and/or Ardupilot autopilot firmware, they offer a range of I/O options for easy integration into almost any system design.

Flight Controller Carrier Boards

Our NDAA-compliant flight controller carrier boards are designed to provide enhanced I/O, connectivity and functionality for our range of controllers as well as other Pixhawk-based hardware. Based on open-source PAB (Pixhawk Autopilot Bus) standards, they feature powerful edge computing capabilities, integrated RTK GNSS, and more.

Flight Controller Bundles

Our flight controller bundles package a high-performance controller together with a carrier board and powerful edge computing capabilities into a single convenient production-ready solution, doing away with the need to source and assemble separate components. All bundles are NDAA-compliant, supporting domestic U.S. drone manufacturer requirements.

Optical Flow Sensor

The ARK Flow optical flow sensor provides precision navigation and positioning capabilities for drones and robotics operating in GPS-denied environments, and works reliably even under low light conditions of down to 9 lux. Featuring a time-of-flight sensor for distance measurement, its ultra-miniature form factor makes it ideal for vehicles of all sizes.

A drop-in module for the ARK Flow is also available, featuring an upgraded optical flow module and time-of-flight distance sensor. The NDAA-compliant ARK Flow MR extends the distance sensing range by up to 50 meters for just 5 grams extra weight.

Rangefinders

ARK Electronics’ rangefinder modules are NDAA-compliant, made in the USA, and low-SWaP solutions for tactical UAV systems and defense platforms. The short-range and mid-range models feature a Broadcom ToF sensor paired with an onboard laser source, precision optics, and interface connections, maintaining accuracy in ambient light up to 200k lux.

Designed for rapid integration into mission-critical payloads, these distance sensor modules support DroneCAN and MAVLink protocols, offer UAVCAN firmware update capability, and include ROS2 support. Each unit is equipped with two Pixhawk Standard CAN connectors, a Pixhawk Standard UART connector, and a Pixhawk Standard Debug connector, and is supplied with CAN and UART cables. Powered by 5V with minimal current draw, the compact, lightweight design ensures compatibility with a wide range of military UAV configurations.

GNSS & GPS Receiver Modules

Our board-level GPS and GNSS receiver modules are based on industry-leading positioning technology from manufacturers such as u-blox, Septentrio and STMicroelectronics. The multi-band and multi-constellation receivers are ideal for providing defense and government drones and autonomous vehicles with precise and reliable positioning performance even under highly challenging conditions.

MEMS IMUs

Our low-SWaP NDAA-compliant MEMS IMUs (inertial measurement units) have been developed in partnership with Analog Devices and Murata, and are designed to provide UAVs and robotic systems with reliable and high-accuracy orientation, velocity, and acceleration data. All sensors are compatible with PX4 and Ardupilot.

CANnode Module

The CANnode is a miniature connectivity board that provides a rich set of I/O enabling a wide variety of sensors and equipment to be seamlessly integrated into a CAN bus via DroneCAN. The 3 x 3 x 1.3cm board runs PX4 firmware and also incorporates a six-DoF IMU module.

Electronic Speed Controller

Our Blue UAS Framework-listed 4-in-1 ESC (electronic speed controller) provides precise and reliable motor control for a variety of drone platforms, supporting 3 to 8S battery input and providing up to 50A continuous current per motor. Running open-source AM32 firmware, the high-efficiency controller ensures optimal flight stability and power management.

Power Modules

Our NDAA-compliant Power Modules provide stable and reliable power management and distribution for drones and robotics, integrating seamlessly with Pixhawk Autopilot Bus carrier boards. All modules feature a digital power monitor that provides high-precision measurement of voltage and current.

Adapters & Accessories

We provide a range of electronic adapters and accessories that can be seamlessly integrated into drone and robotic vehicle designs, providing expanded capabilities while ensuring reliable connectivity and control.