Drone company Carbonix expands in the US, triples production

Australian drone manufacturer Carbonix has announced its expansion in the US market via an operating partnership with New Hampshire-based ArgenTech Solutions.

ArgenTech Solutions is a veteran-owned small business founded in 2009, with multiple offices around the world. In addition to offering overseas uncrewed services support for the military, the multifaceted business specialises in technology development and the integration of those products into the marketplace.

Following an initial collaboration, ArgenTech signed a master service agreement that will see the company provide services including flight operations, maintenance and pilot training using Carbonix uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). The partnership will enable Carbonix VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft to be operated and supported by ArgenTech across various commercial, NGO and governmental customer missions mainly in the US, as well as other areas in which ArgenTech already has a presence or customer base.

“Expanding further into the US is a logical next step for Carbonix, allowing us to bring our Australian experience and capabilities into a large and fast-growing market,” said Carbonix CEO Philip van der Burg. “ArgenTech’s operational expertise is highly regarded in the industry, with a heritage in flying complex military missions. Partnering with ArgenTech will enable us to service the demand for our UAS and systematically drive our Customer Success Program, leveraging the expertise of both our companies in providing our customers with the best outcomes.”

“ArgenTech Solutions’ entry into the commercial market leverages being a UAV [unmanned aerial vehicle] subcontractor to Boeing Insitu, where our staff are embedded with the troops flying missions for US DOD, NATO and foreign military customers,” added ArgenTech CEO Brian Veroneau.

“As we grow ArgenTech’s commercial business, we have expanded our worldwide capabilities and services to include wildfire monitoring for the US Bureau of Land Management, training and subject matter expertise for commercial systems. We see partnering with Carbonix and the strength of their systems as advantageous in expanding our capabilities throughout the Americas.”

The partnership comes shortly after Carbonix signed a new $2.3 million contract with aerospace composite manufacturer Quickstep Holdings, which will see the company triple its drone production over the next year. The deal is the second stage of a broader manufacturing partnership which will eventually see Quickstep manufacture all Carbonix drones.

Under the 12-month contract, Quickstep will manufacture 40 of Carbonix’s latest long-range UAVs, which have been optimised for linear asset inspections and feature wings with advanced aerodynamics, increased payload capacity and an aviation-standard twin cylinder engine for propulsion in horizontal flight. This allows for steep climb rates to follow powerlines in low density-altitude (hot and high) conditions.

Van der Burg said Quickstep’s manufacturing processes and quality management systems deliver the high levels of quality assurance Carbonix customers expect while allowing the company to scale production to meet local and overseas demand. Quickstep Managing Director Mark Burgess added that he anticipates demand for the aircraft to significantly exceed initial production volumes.

“Our engineering-led industrial solutions have great traction with drone companies and we are delighted to be supporting Carbonix as they increase their market penetration in Australia and the USA,” he said.

Image caption: Carbonix CEO Philip van der Burg with founder Dario Valenza.