✓ 100% NDAA Compliant ✓ Blue UAS Framework Ready ✓ American-Made

Vanguard-14 | AI-Enabled Group 3 UAS | NVIDIA Thor AGX

Endurance

6-12 hours

Payload

6-8kg

AI Compute

NVIDIA Thor AGX

Wingspan

3.6m

Talk to a Mission Specialist Compare Configurations

Systems are tailored to mission requirements. Investment includes platform, AI compute, sensors, ground control, training, and support—configured for your operational environment.

Vanguard-14

AI-Enabled Group 3 Platform for Advanced ISR and Autonomous Operations

The Vanguard-14 delivers production-grade AI autonomy in a Group 3 airframe, combining 6-12 hour endurance with NVIDIA Thor AGX edge computing and encrypted BVLOS communications. Purpose-built for defense research laboratories, operational units, and university autonomy programs requiring closed-loop AI control and complete NDAA compliance.

Available in fixed-wing and VTOL configurations.

The Case for the Vanguard-14

When a mission requires extended ISR endurance, real-time AI inference at the edge, and the ability to operate BVLOS with encrypted communications, the Vanguard-14 is purpose-built for that requirement. It is the only NDAA-compliant Group 3 platform in its price range with NVIDIA Thor AGX integrated as a standard feature across all tiers — not as an expensive add-on.

Defense Research Laboratories: DARPA-funded programs, service laboratory research, and SBIR/STTR-supported development work frequently requires a testbed platform that can run custom AI models in a closed-loop control environment. The Vanguard-14’s NVIDIA Thor AGX provides the compute density to run inference workloads in real time without ground-link dependency. All communications are encrypted, supporting sensitive research operational security requirements.

Operational ISR Units: For units requiring persistent surveillance with minimal operator intervention, the Vanguard-14’s 6–12 hour endurance covers operational timelines that would require multiple platform rotations on shorter-endurance systems. BVLOS-capable with RTK precision navigation and encrypted telemetry, the platform is designed for operations where comms links may be contested or degraded.

Autonomy and AI Development Programs: University aerospace and computer science programs developing autonomous navigation, computer vision, and multi-agent coordination algorithms need a platform that can execute those algorithms at flight speeds in real-world conditions. The Vanguard-14 provides that testbed with complete documentation, developer API access, and ArduPilot/PX4 compatibility.

NVIDIA Thor AGX Integration

The NVIDIA Thor AGX provides up to 2,000 TOPS of AI compute in a hardened airborne form factor. This enables real-time execution of large vision models, simultaneous multi-sensor fusion, and autonomous decision-making without cloud dependency. All Vanguard-14 configurations include Thor AGX — the Basic tier includes the developer kit for integration testing; Professional and Mission Ready tiers include fully hardened flight-ready configurations.

Operator Training

A platform without trained operators is hardware sitting in a case. Forge and Flight Academy — our wholly-owned training subsidiary — delivers platform-specific operator development programs built around exactly these systems.

The Vanguard-14’s NVIDIA Thor AGX and BVLOS capability require operators who understand AI edge deployment and EW-contested operations — not just basic flight procedures. Training aligned to the platform’s actual capability unlocks the full mission envelope.

Recommended courses for Vanguard-14 operators: FFA-401 and FFR-201

View Academy Training Programs | Request a Training Proposal

NDAA Compliance

and Supply Chain

Manufactured in North Carolina with 100% domestic electronics sourcing. CAGE Code: 18VF2 | UEI: SUVKLZLPBJC1 | SAM Registration: Active. Full component traceability documentation and NDAA Section 848 compliance certificates provided with every purchase order.

Advanced Autonomous Capabilities

Closed-loop AI control enables real-time mission adaptation based on sensor observations—a capability rare in sub-$1M platforms.

NVIDIA Thor AGX Edge AI

Production-grade edge computing with pre-trained computer vision models for search & rescue, fire detection, and object classification. Real-time inference eliminates latency.

Closed-Loop Autonomy

Onboard edge computing processes sensor data in real-time with zero ground station latency. The aircraft autonomously adjusts mission parameters based on what it observes—target tracking, threat avoidance, search pattern optimization—without waiting for human input.

Extended Endurance

6-12 hour flight time with hybrid gas-electric propulsion. Reduces operational frequency and enables true persistent ISR missions.

Encrypted BVLOS Communications

Advanced encryption methods harden onboard systems and secure data transmission. Integration with TAC (Tactical Awareness & Control) enables real-time mission coordination. Starlink connectivity provides global beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations.

Three Configurations for Different Operational Needs

Each tier delivers specific operational capabilities tailored to your mission requirements.

Capability	Basic AI Development Platform	Professional Production AI Operations	Mission Ready Advanced Autonomy
Platform & Sensors	NDAA-compliant airframe FLIR VIO F1 EO/IR Electric propulsion (2-4hr)	All Basic features Hybrid propulsion (6-10hr) 2x Starlink Mini hardware	All Professional features Enhanced PNT solution FLIR ORUS L EO/IR
AI Compute	NVIDIA Orin AGX dev kit AI framework for custom development	NVIDIA Thor AGX Pre-trained CV models (search & rescue, fire detection)	Thor AGX + custom model training Developer API access
Autonomy Level	Standard waypoint navigation with exclusion zone fencing	Closed-loop AI control TAC integration Advanced mission planning	All Professional autonomy Multi-bird relay Custom sensor integration
Communications	RFD900x (40km range) Professional GCS	Encrypted comms suite Starlink integration Enhanced BVLOS GCS	All Professional comms Advanced encrypted suite
Training & Support	3 days operator training AI platform configuration 90-day warranty 48hr support response	4 days training (AI + BVLOS) Thor integration training 1-year warranty 24hr priority support Model update access	5 days advanced training Custom model development guidance 2-year warranty 12hr Gold support Round-trip shipping
Documentation & Tools	Technical manuals Developer resources FAA registration support	All Basic docs STL files for customization Spare parts kit One-way shipping	All Professional docs Ruggedized transport cases Extended spare parts Advanced telemetry analysis
Best For	AI development labs Custom autonomy research Budget-conscious programs	Operational deployments Government agencies Field-ready missions	Advanced research Custom AI training High-reliability ops
	Discuss Basic	Discuss Professional	Discuss Mission Ready

Investment Approach: Systems are configured to your mission requirements and operational environment. Our mission specialists work with your team to design the optimal configuration, integrate with your existing infrastructure, and provide training matched to your operator experience level. Both fixed-wing and VTOL variants available.

Technical Specifications

Fixed-Wing Variant

Endurance	6-12 hours
Wingspan	3.6m (11.8 ft)
MTOW	40kg (88 lbs)
Payload Capacity	6kg (13.2 lbs)
Cruise Speed	25 m/s (56 mph)
Max Speed	38 m/s (85 mph)
Wind Resistance	Up to 30 mph
Launch Method	Runway takeoff

VTOL Variant

Endurance	6-12 hours
Wingspan	3.6m (11.8 ft)
MTOW	45kg (99 lbs)
Payload Capacity	8kg (17.6 lbs)
Cruise Speed	22 m/s (49 mph)
Max Speed	35 m/s (78 mph)
Wind Resistance	Up to 30 mph
Launch Method	Vertical takeoff and landing

All Configurations Include

AI Compute: NVIDIA Thor AGX

Sensor: FLIR VIO F1 EO/IR or ORUS L

Communications: RFD900x telemetry (40km+ range)

Autopilot: Waypoint navigation and geofencing

Propulsion: Electric or hybrid gas-electric

Compliance: 100% NDAA Section 848, Blue UAS Framework ready

Mission Applications

Defense & Intelligence

Extended ISR missions requiring AI-enabled object detection
Autonomous patrol and surveillance in contested environments
Real-time threat assessment with edge AI processing
Multi-platform coordination for complex operations

Research & Development

Autonomy algorithm development and validation
Machine learning model training with real flight data
Sensor fusion and perception system research
BVLOS operational procedure development

Infrastructure & Inspection

Automated power line and pipeline inspection
AI-assisted anomaly detection on critical infrastructure
Large-area surveying with minimal operator workload
Persistent monitoring of remote installations

Emergency Response

Search and rescue with AI-powered person detection
Fire detection and perimeter monitoring
Disaster assessment with autonomous area coverage
Long-duration situational awareness missions

Mission Economics

Extended endurance and AI-enabled autonomy deliver operational cost advantages versus traditional ISR methods.

6-12 hours

Single-sortie endurance reduces launch frequency and operational tempo

~$200

Estimated cost per flight hour vs. $5,000+ for manned helicopter ISR

Autonomous

AI-assisted mission execution reduces operator workload and training requirements

Scalable

Multi-platform coordination enables force multiplication without proportional cost increase

Total ownership cost includes acquisition, training, maintenance, and operational expenses over the system lifecycle. Our mission specialists can provide detailed cost modeling for your specific operational profile.

Operator Training Available

Platform delivery without trained operators creates a support dependency.

Forge and Flight Academy — our sister organization — offers operator training programs built specifically for the platforms in this ecosystem. FFF-401 (FPV Systems Integration), FFR-201 (Tactical RF), and FFF-402 (Master Trainer Certification) are purpose-built to close the gap between platform acquisition and organic operational capability.

View Training Programs

Request training proposal →

Ready to Discuss Your Mission Requirements?

Our mission specialists work directly with defense organizations, research institutions, and government agencies to design optimal UAS configurations for specific operational needs.

Talk to a Mission Specialist Compare All Platforms

What to expect: Initial consultation to understand your mission parameters, operational environment, and compliance requirements. We'll provide configuration recommendations, integration planning, and total ownership cost analysis.

Lead time: 10-14 weeks from contract signature to delivery, including platform configuration, integration, and pre-delivery testing.