The New IF 800 TOMCAT is Newest and Best of Inspired Flight’s Technology

Inspired Flight IF 800 TOMCAT drone, US drone manufacturersThe IF 800 TOMCAT is U.S. drone manufacturer Inspired Flight‘s latest offering, representing the newest and best technology of the Blue sUAS, NDAA-compliant platform.

At the Drone Nerds ElevateUAV Summit in Miami today, DRONELIFE had the opportunity to meet Adam Bilmes, Co-Founder and Director of Business Development, about the U.S.-based manufacturer’s new IF 800 TOMCAT.

The IF 800 TOMCAT pays tribute by name to the retired F14 fighter jet.  Also like the jet, the IF 800 TOMCAT is designed to be a workhorse.  The drone’s robust ergonomics, hot-swappable batteries, and more than 40 minute flight time is a tool to be used 8 hours a day.

Simple and Safe Data Acquisition

One of the features that differentiates the IF 800 from competitors is the quality of their integrations with UI and UX design.  “Inspire Ground Control provides a UX that an operator can be comfortable in, which reduces the risk of making a mistake,” says Bilmes.  “We’ve modified the front end to make the aircraft simpler and safer to use.”

The IF 800 is integrated with the Workswell WIRIS Enterprise camera, an EO/IR Thermal and Optical payload, the Sony A7R, and an extensive range of LiDAR solutions under 3 kg.   Based on Ardupilot, the IF 800 is an open source platform, enabling integration of third party payloads.

RTK and PPK options for surveyors along with automatic geotagging make the IF 800 ideal for geospatial work and asset inspection.  Inspired Flight is also seeing interest from law enforcement and government agencies.  “We’re seeing a lot more interest from law enforcement with the Workswell payload  – IF 800 is a compact, portable aircraft,” says Bilmes.  “The modularity and open source architecture make the IF 800 a great fit for many government and defense applications.”

Manufactured in the U.S., Built to Last

Inspired Flight has been a U.S. drone manufacturer since their inception in 2017, and is both Blue sUAS and NDAA compliant.   (The new IF 800 is expected to be Blue sUAS compliant as of Q3 2023.) The company has worked to build out their California facilities to ensure a strong supply chain and reliable customer fulfillment. “It’s not sexy – but our supply chain and manufacturing capabilities are a key point of Inspired Flight’s success,” says Bilmes.  The company is poised to increase manufacturing by at least 4x this year, and are able to serve a rapidly growing customer base.  “We’ve made the transition from direct sales to a distributor network, so there is always inventory available for customers.  We’re offering 3 -4 week lead times, which outperforms many manufacturers.  All of our critical components are coming from North America.”

Unusual in the industry, Inspired Flight offers a 3 year warranty on their aircraft.  They also take support seriously.

“Our dealers and resellers are fully trained – but we have two teams backing that up.  Our customer support is available 7 days a week, when you call Inspired Flight, you talk to a qualified person right away.  Our flight operations team travels around the country, supporting our customers to make sure that their projects go well.  We also offer our Inspired Care program: that includes training, the extended warranty, maintenance checks, priority support, and more.”

In functionality, the new IF 800 TOMCAT stacks up well against other medium-lift UAS like the DJI M300 or Freefly Astro.  “With 250% more flight time and 50% more left than its predecessor… the IF800 is Inspired Flight’s best system yet,” says the company.

Inspired Flight unveils groundbreaking American-Made Drone: Advancing critical technology in the United States

Inspired Flight Technologies, a leading American drone manufacturer, announces the highly anticipated re-release of their medium-lift IF800 Tomcat, a vehicle that’s set to ship before the end of the year.

Inspired Flight’s IF800 Tomcat features a lightweight, compact, and foldable frame, enabling easy
transportation and deployment in various environments. The drone comes with a specially designed case that offers ample space for batteries and payload, ensuring convenience and protection during transit. Whether it’s inspecting infrastructure, mapping terrain, or conducting LiDAR surveys, the IF800 Tomcat is a reliable and adaptable tool for professionals in need of cutting-edge aerial capabilities.

With a max payload capacity of 3 kg, this medium-lift drone delivers unparalleled flexibility and productivity.

It is the first NDAA-compliant industrial-grade drone to deliver greater than 40-minute flight time while carrying many of the most popular high-resolution cameras and sensors. Dual hot-swappable smart batteries enable large missions to be completed without system resets and easy slide installation ensures minimal downtime during battery swaps.

This advanced drone design also features a 30-degree upward-angle shooting capability for gimbal-mounted cameras, enabling more effective imaging of wind turbines, bridges, and other critical infrastructure. An integral FPV (First-Person View) camera allows operators real-time visual feedback and precise control during flights.

Inspired Flight manufacturers to all of their systems, including the IF800 Tomcat, without reliance on critical
Chinese or other foreign technologies are prohibited by the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

This landmark legislation and associated government regulations recognize the geo-political and strategic
importance of drone technology to the economic and national security of the United States. Inspired Flight is fully committed to re-establishing America’s leadership in this consequential industry.

“Most of the key technologies that enable the impressive performance and utility of modern, commercial drones were invented in the United States. The Inspired Flight team is honored to play our part in restoring these capabilities back to our shores.”

Rick Stollmeyer, CEO of Inspired Flight Technologies

Inspired Flight’s announcement of the IF800 Tomcat reinforces their commitment to lead the American commercial drone industry, with cutting-edge technology and industry-leading customer support. With its unwavering dedication to NDAA compliance and American manufacturing, Inspired Flight emerges as a trusted partner for businesses, government agencies, and drone enthusiasts seeking reliable, secure, and high-performance uncrewed aircraft systems. The IF800 Tomcat boasts an array of advanced features that cater to diverse professional applications, including high-resolution aerial photogrammetry, surveying, search and rescue, and infrastructure inspection.

About Inspired Flight:
Founded in 2017 in San Luis Obispo, CA, Inspired Flight is an industry-leading US-based team specializing in the design, development, and manufacturing of small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS). Their highly capable drone platforms incorporate innovative hardware and software designs to provide tailored industrial-grade solutions, trusted by both commercial and government customers alike.

For more information regarding Inspired Flight and the IF800 Tomcat visit www.InspiredFlight.com or contact [email protected].

U.S. Drone Manufacturer Inspired Flight Integrates Phase One P3 Camera for Survey and Inspection

Inspired Flight Blue sUAS heavy liftInspired Flight and Phase One Announce New Integrated Solution

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Commercial sUAS manufacturer Inspired Flight Technologies and aerial photography system developer Phase One have announced the launch of a new plug and play solution which integrates the Inspired Flight IF1200A and the Phase One P3 camera.

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The solution brings together advanced aerial imaging and flexible operations to serve a broad range of surveying and inspection applications.

“Our customer base in both the mapping and inspection markets made it clear to us that integrating tightly with Phase One is critical to their business goals and future growth,” said Inspired Flight Product Manager and Co-Founder Marc Stollmeyer. “The Phase One team was great to work with during the integration effort, and we can’t wait to bring this new capability to the market on an industry-leading NDAA-compliant UAS.”

“We’re looking forward to deepening this partnership and continuing to make Inspired Flight and Phase One one of the go-to UAV solutions for inspections,” said Phase One Unmanned Portfolio Director Michael Messerschmidt. “With this plug and play solution, customers have an exceptional opportunity to increase their data quality, end-to-end productivity, and operational safety using a proven UAV platform. We are confident that our joint solution will empower customers to conduct more efficient missions with unrivaled performance.”

The Inspired Flight and Phase One integration solution combines both market-leading products in order to provide numerous benefits, such as increased efficiency, complete camera control, and the ability to write GNSS data directly on an image. The Phase One P3 Payload features a high-resolution 100MP iXM camera specially made for UAVs. It includes a BSI sensor with a maximum dynamic range of 83dB, a rangefinder with Smart Focus, and a wide range of lenses.

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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.

Inspired Flight and Phase One Strengthen Partnership

Inspired Flight Technologies, a leading manufacturer of commercial sUAS (small Uncrewed Aerial Systems) and Phase One, a world-leading developer and manufacturer of medium and large format aerial photography systems, are pleased to announce the launch of a new plug-and-play solution with the Inspired Flight IF1200A and the Phase One P3 camera. This solution combines exceptional aerial imaging and flexible operations that can meet diverse surveying and inspection needs.

Head of Product and Co-Founder Marc Stollmeyer expressed his excitement about the first true Mavlink-based P3 integration on the IF1200A. “Our customer base in both the mapping and inspection markets made it clear to us that integrating tightly with Phase One is critical to their business goals and future growth. The Phase One team was great to work with during the integration effort, and we can’t wait to bring this new capability to the market on an industry-leading NDAA-compliant UAS.”

Michael Messerschmidt, Unmanned Portfolio Director at Phase One, added: “We’re looking forward to deepening this partnership and continuing to make Inspired Flight and Phase One one of the go-to UAV solutions for inspections. With this plug-and-play solution, customers have an exceptional opportunity to increase their data quality, end-to-end productivity, and operational safety using a proven UAV platform. We are confident that our joint solution will empower customers to conduct more efficient missions with unrivalled performance.”

The Inspired Flight and Phase One P3 integration solution offers many benefits, including:
● Combining two market-leading products – the IF1200A and Phase One’s P3 100MP imaging payload- to provide highly proven efficiency.
● Complete camera control and the ability to write GNSS data directly on the image for photogrammetry and inspection applications.
● The Phase One P3 Payload, well known for its unsurpassed image quality in high-precision and time-critical inspections, consists of a high-resolution 100MP iXM camera uniquely designed for UAVs. The payload includes a BSI sensor with the highest dynamic range of 83dB, a rangefinder with Smart Focus, and a broad array of lenses including 35 mm, 80 mm and 150 mm.

Inspired Flight

Founded in San Luis Obispo, California in 2016, the U.S. based team manufactures and supports highly capable and agile UAS platforms for both commercial and government applications. Their thoughtful hardware design and willingness to work with each customer to understand specific requirements and engineer a tailored solution, are some of the many reasons why agencies turn to Inspired Flight for their UAV programs. With a keen understanding of the challenges operators face, their vehicles are designed for repeatable and robust workflows, enabling users to complete objectives safely while vastly improving operational efficiency and bottom line. Inspired Flight’s collection of UAS are ideal for the most demanding applications including aerial photogrammetry, surveying, thermal inspection, and more.

www.inspiredflight.com

Phase One
Phase One–a pioneer of digital imaging sensors and airborne systems for the Geo market and the largest provider of aerial cameras based on a long tradition for outstanding image quality and reliable sensors. Founded in 1993, Phase One is a pioneer of digital photography. Phase One has developed core imaging technologies and a range of digital cameras and imaging modules, providing the world’s highest image quality in terms of resolution, dynamic range, colour fidelity and geometric accuracy. As such, Phase One has grown to become the leading provider of high-end imaging technology across many demanding business segments, such as aerial mapping, industrial inspection and cultural heritage digitization, as well
as serving the world’s most demanding photographers.

www.phaseone.com

Inspired Flight Blue sUAS Clearance for Heavy Lift and Medium Lift Aircraft

Inspired Flight Blue sUASInspired Flight Technologies Aircraft Join Blue sUAS Cleared List

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Today, commercial sUAS (small Unmanned Aerial Systems) manufacturer Inspired Flight Technologies, Inc., announced that it has received Blue sUAS 2.0 clearance from The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU).

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Both of Inspired Flight’s product lines, the medium-lift IF750 Quadcopter and the heavy-lift IF1200 Hexacopter, were accepted into the program. All Inspired Flight products are immediately available on a standard 3 week lead time.

The Department of Defense led Blue sUAS Program serves to certify US manufacturers’ aircraft for compliance with all Supply Chain & Cybersecurity requirements pertaining to the operation of UAS by Military operators. This certification allows Government customers such as the Department of Defense to purchase products by Inspired Flight directly from the GSA schedule, all without the requirement of further approvals.

Inspired Flight Blue sUAS Clearance

“This milestone will enable Inspired Flight to scale its DOD customer base and further establishes this company as a leader in the American UAS manufacturing industry,” said CEO Rick Stollmeyer. “As a veteran-owned small business, this means a lot to our company, our employees and for Americans in general. It’s a big win!”

Inspired Flight’s IF750 is an adaptable lightweight electric quadcopter developed for third party sensor integration. Its ability to deploy rapidly, coupled with its compact and manageable design, allows for an intuitive and straightforward workflow for its operator. The model also offers easy upkeep, with repairs simple enough to be carried out by the user, minimizing downtime.

Meanwhile, the IF1200 is a resilient electric heavy-lift hexacopter built to fit the needs of a more specific set of requirements. The IF12000’s compact size and minimal vibration enable it to integrate with any third party payload, including LiDAR, radiation detection sensors, gimbaled EO/IR sensors, and delivery capabilities.

Prepared to handle intricate and essential commercial and government operations, Inspired Flight’s aircraft serve a customer base that includes the energy utility, infrastructure, first responder, and government sectors. With an emphasis on critical infrastructure & public safety verticals, the company’s technology is utilized in life-saving and mission-critical ecosystems throughout the country.

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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.

Joint project LUV to advance U-spaces in Germany - sUAS News - The Business of Drones
Inspired Flight IF1200A – sUAS News – The Business of Drones

Inspired Flight Technologies, Inc., – A San Luis Obispo, CA, manufacturer of commercial sUAS (small
Unmanned Aerial Systems) for Government & Commercial Customers is excited to announce its latest
product launch of the IF1200A.

The IF1200A builds on the successes of its predecessor, the Blue UAS-accepted IF1200, by delivering a
category-leading 85% increase in flight time. The elevates the user experience of Inspired
Flight’s systems and further streamlines the workflows of operators in the field. The IF1200A is a major leap forward for the heavy-lift electric UAV market.

Designed for the same customer base as the IF1200, the IF1200A enables massive increases in overall
operational efficiency and cost savings over the 5+ year projected lifetime of the aircraft. This aircraft is
able to achieve 85% longer flight times with a larger battery, more capable motors, ESCs, and larger
propellers. This version incorporates the Blue Cube flight controller running ArduPilot software.

Inspired Flight manufactures sUAS ready to tackle complex and high-value commercial and government
applications. The company’s focus on mission-critical verticals means its technology is used in life-saving
and mission-critical ecosystems, across North America. With customers spanning the power utilities,
infrastructure, first responder, and government space, Inspired Flight is emerging as a leading American
provider of sUAS technology.

Conserving resources, creating jobs, and saving lives by leading the American small unmanned aerial
systems (“sUAS”) Industry.

Blue sUAS Manufacturer Inspired Flight Introduces New Heavy Lift Drone: the IF1200A
Blue sUAS Manufacturer Inspired Flight Introduces New Heavy Lift Drone: the IF1200A

Blue sUAS heavy lift dronesBlue sUAS drone manufacturer Inspired Flight has introduced the IF1200A heavy lift drone, setting standards in flight endurance and payload capacity.

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The latest offering from U.S. drone manufacturer Inspired Flight ticks all of the boxes for enterprise drone projects. Inspired Flight’s heavy lift hexacopter was originally designed for U.S. Department of Defense clients and is NDAA-compliant, engineered and manufactured entirely in the U.S., offering a platform that meets government and enterprise security requirements.

Most importantly, the IF1200A offers category-leading functionality: payload flexibility, impressive flight endurance, and a rugged airframe.  Put together, these capabilities make the IF1200A an industrial workhorse in the under 55 pound (appropriate for Part 107 pilots) category.

Open Source Architecture and a Universal Payload Interface

One tool – many uses.  Aerial data collection comes in many forms, and this heavy lift allows customers to use a single aircraft to easily accomodate multiple sensor needs.  Inspired Flight described the IF1200 as “the most modular drone on the planet.” The IF1200A retains that flexibility while increasing payload capacity to 20 pounds.  In addition to “ready to fly” integrations with optical, thermal, and LiDAR sensors, the IF1200A’s open source architecture allows for custom payload integrations to meet the unique needs of any organization.  Government and civil customers can utilize the IF1200A platform for applications including precision agriculture, construction, surveying, inspection, and security.

An 85% Increase in Flight Time 

Flight endurance is directly influenced by weight – so for heavy lift drones, flight time is a significant issue to overcome.  The IF1200A has been engineered to achieve a major upgrade in flight time: up to about 45 minutes with a smaller payload, and 25 minutes carrying a full 20 pounds. In an interview with Tyto Robotics at the AUVSI Xponential 2022, Inspired Flight’s Director of Product Marc Stollmeyer talked about using Tyto’s test stand to extend flight endurance for the IF1200A.  “We were able to test these motors, find out which one was the most powerful, which one was the most efficient – and that allowed us to get industry leading flight times out of this vehicle.”

In addition to a secure, modular heavy-lift platform, Inspired Flight is committed to offering customers a reliable product – and a robust support operation.  In an interview with Danielle Gagne in “Stories from 400 Feet,” Director of Sales Adam Bilmes emphasizes the company’s reputation for hands-on, accessible customer support.

“What you’re getting with us…is a company that is really regarded for reliability and safety, which will always be our first focus – and we’ve really built out a support function…I think that’s critical for this industry to really take off.”

Read more about Inspired Flight and Blue sUAS: