Back-Packable Electric Drone with In-Flight Variable-Wingspan

As reported by GPSworld.com, WingXpand has debuted a 7-foot expandable-wing drone that fits in a backpack. The drone was first revealed to the special forces community at the Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC 2022) held May 16-19 in Tampa, Florida. WingXpand drones are U.S.-made with a patented design, which “maximizes capability, efficiency and safety for the military and public safety officials. It can also be used by farmers, surveyors and inspectors.”

WingXpand expands in less than 2 minutes. The full system weighs less than 10 pounds. It can carry high-resolution cameras and other modular payloads such as a real-time pattern analysis system. More than 10 WingXpand UAS can fit in a public safety vehicle, more than 30 in a pickup, and 250 on a standard airlift pallet. WingXpand provides end-to-end services, including pilot services, training, data analysis and sustainment. Watch a background video here, and see more details at GPSworld.com. Our thanks to Robin E. Alexander, President ATC, alexander technical[at]gmail[dot]com, for her assistance with this report.