Robinson Unmanned and Lyntris are collaborating to integrate Dragonflight distributed autonomy technology with the SPARTAN Group 2 coaxial Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) drone, supporting a $6.48 million expansion of Lyntris’ Maritime Tactical Command and Control program with the U.S. Navy.
The integration aims to extend Dragonflight into coordinated autonomous UAS operations using SPARTAN’s modular, open architecture. The aircraft is designed to accommodate evolving autonomy and mission technologies while operating as part of larger, distributed mission systems.
SPARTAN is an aviation-grade, NDAA-compliant, all-weather VTOL platform with a maximum takeoff weight of 30 lb and a payload capacity of up to 15.3 lb. Its open architecture supports the integration of advanced autonomy and mission systems while preserving the payload capacity, endurance and all-weather performance required for demanding operational environments.
Jack Zaientz, VP of C4I and Autonomy at Lyntris, commented, “Precision formation flight takes aircraft and software designed to work together. Robinson’s SPARTAN gives us a nimble, open platform for integrating our autonomy technology. By pairing their aircraft expertise with Lyntris’ Dragonflight autonomy software, we’re working to expand what operators can accomplish with a team of autonomous aircraft.”
The collaboration also expands Robinson Unmanned’s work with the U.S. defense industrial base and its network of technology partners. The company works with autonomy, mission-system and defense technology providers across an ecosystem spanning aircraft Groups 1 through 4, integrating specialised capabilities onto scalable aircraft platforms.
Paul Fermo, President of Robinson Unmanned, stated, “The future of unmanned aviation isn’t going to be built around closed aircraft with fixed capability. Operators need reliable platforms that can integrate the best technology available today and continue adapting as autonomy, sensors, communications and mission requirements evolve. This is what a strong U.S. industrial base should enable: bringing proven aircraft and advanced technology together to deliver meaningful capability to the fleet.”
Fermo also highlighted SPARTAN’s design as a platform intended to support multiple mission applications.
Fermo continued, “SPARTAN was never intended to be a single-mission aircraft and we’re seeing that vision play out in the market now. Different partners are looking at the same underlying platform for autonomy, sensing, effects, and integration into larger systems-of-systems. Our work with Lyntris is another example of what SPARTAN was designed to do: provide an open, aviation-grade foundation that allows new capabilities to be integrated quickly and employed as part of a larger force.”
