NDAA-Compliant UAS Platforms | Group 1-3 | Forge and Flight Labs
Compare all three platform families to find the perfect fit for your mission requirements. All platforms feature complete NDAA compliance and American manufacturing.
| Feature | Longbow-8Development & Training | Aether-10Entry-Level Research | Vanguard-14AI-Enabled Production | Titan-20 VTOLHeavy-Payload Flagship |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group Classification | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 2/3 | Group 3 |
| Endurance | 2–2.2 hours | 2-5 hours | 6-12 hours | 7+ hours |
| Payload Capacity | 2kg (4.4 lbs) | 4-6kg (8.8-13.2 lbs) | 6-8kg (13.2-17.6 lbs) | 25kg (55 lbs) |
| Wingspan | 2.43m (8.0 ft) | 2.6m (8.5 ft) | 3.6m (11.8 ft) | 6.0m (19.7 ft) |
| AI Compute | None (Open standard autopilot) | Optional (Mission Ready only) AI Edge Compute | Standard (all tiers) AI Edge Compute | Standard (all tiers) AI Edge Compute |
| Configurations | VTOL Only | Fixed-Wing + VTOL | Fixed-Wing + VTOL | VTOL Only |
| Sensor | Customer-supplied payload | EO/IR Imaging System | EO/IR Imaging System | Extended-Range EO/IR Sensor |
| Propulsion | All-Electric | Electric or Hybrid | Electric or Hybrid | Gas Hybrid |
| Best For | • Payload & sensor testing • Operator training • University programs • Rapid prototyping | • University research • Environmental monitoring • Agricultural analysis • Budget-conscious programs | • Defense research labs • Operational ISR missions • Autonomy development • Extended surveillance | • Heavy sensor payloads • Border patrol operations • Persistent surveillance • Prime contractor demos |
| Starting Configuration | Basic | Basic | Basic | Basic |
| Academic Discount | ✓ 5% on Basic tier | ✓ 5% on Basic tier | Contact for details | Contact for details |
| Pricing | Contact for pricing — all configurations | |||
| View Longbow-8 | View Aether-10 | View Vanguard-14 | View Titan-20 | |
Not Sure Which Platform is Right for You?
Our team can help you select the optimal configuration for your specific mission requirements, operational environment, and budget constraints.
Choose Longbow-8 if you need:
- Payload or sensor evaluation platform
- Operator training before larger platforms
- University UAS program entry point
- Man-portable, field-deployable system
- Budget under $100K
Choose Aether-10 if you need:
- Entry-level research platform
- University academic programs
- Environmental or agricultural monitoring
- Budget under $500K
- Optional AI development capability
Most Popular
Choose Vanguard-14 if you need:
- Production-grade AI autonomy
- Extended endurance missions (6-12 hours)
- Defense research applications
- Closed-loop AI control
- Both Fixed-Wing and VTOL options
Choose Titan-20 if you need:
- Maximum payload capacity (25kg)
- Heavy ISR sensor suites
- Border patrol operations
- Persistent surveillance missions
- Group 3 capability with VTOL flexibility