Vanguard-14
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.
Systems are tailored to mission requirements. Investment includes platform, AI compute, sensors, ground control, training, and support—configured for your operational environment.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.