Edge 130 is a U.S.-made hybrid fixed-wing VTOL tricopter for extended range ISR, mapping, and inspection. Fly up to 125 minutes with a 20 km link. Swap Blue UAS approved payloads including the Overwatch EO/IR gimbal and Mapping Array. Plan autonomous missions with FlightWave Mission Planner.
Red Cat Edge 130 is a U.S.-manufactured reconnaissance and mapping fixed-wing VTOL platform that pairs multirotor precision with fixed-wing efficiency. The hybrid airframe lifts off vertically, hovers for target work, then transitions to forward flight for wide-area coverage. Crews get long endurance, stable performance in high winds, and fast tool-free payload swaps in the field. Edge 130 is NDAA and Blue UAS compliant, built for agencies and enterprises that need compliant hardware without giving up range or agility.
Edge 130 is designed for extended missions where minutes and miles matter. Typical cruise endurance reaches up to 125 minutes with a nominal cruise speed of 15 m/s and a link range of 20 km. The aircraft remains controllable in winds up to 40 mph, which keeps missions on the schedule when conditions are marginal.
Operators can configure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with the stabilized Overwatch EO/IR gimbal that records 4K color video and 640×512 thermal, or switch to the Mapping Array that triggers three 13 MP sensors in sync to collect 39 MP per shot. That payload combination supports one-person deployment, rapid launch, and high quality data capture.
Edge 130 At a Glance
- Hybrid fixed-wing VTOL tricopter: vertical takeoff/landing, hover, and efficient forward flight
- Tool-free payload swaps for ISR or mapping missions
- Overwatch EO/IR gimbal: 4K color + 640×512 thermal on 3-axis stabilization
- Mapping Array: three synchronized 13 MP sensors (39 MP per capture) up to 5 fps
- One-person rapid setup; stable performance in winds up to 40 mph
- NDAA & Blue UAS compliant; encrypted links for secure operations
- Made in the USA
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Cruise Endurance | Up to 125 minutes* |
| Link Range | Up to 12.4 mi (20 km) |
| Vehicle Mass | 2.65 lb (1,200 g) |
| Wingspan | 51 in (130 cm) |
| Nominal Cruise Speed | 15 m/s (33 mph) |
| Max Wind Speed | 40 mph (17 m/s) |
| Payload Options | Overwatch EO/IR gimbal; Mapping Array (3×13 MP, 39 MP per shot) |
| Comms | 900 MHz telemetry; 2.4 GHz data |
*Standard atmospheric pressure.
Payloads
Overwatch EO/IR Gimbal
The Overwatch gimbal delivers stabilized, dual-sensor ISR in a compact, 3-axis package. A FlightWave Glo-12K color camera records detailed 4K/30fps video with 10× digital zoom, while a long-wave infrared imager captures 640×512 thermal with 2× digital zoom. Both sensors write full-resolution files to onboard storage as a compressed live feed streams to the ground station, giving teams positive ID in daylight or darkness without sacrificing post-mission evidence quality.
Mapping Array
The Mapping Array is a synchronized tri-camera module built for high-coverage photogrammetry. Three simultaneously triggered 13 MP CMOS sensors generate 39 MP per capture at up to 5 fps, writing to a high-speed removable card (up to ~1 TB). Tuned for ~1 cm/pixel at 100 m AGL across a ~100 m swath, the Edge 130 can map ~1,600 acres in a single 90-minute flight at nominal cruise, ideal for large-area GIS, disaster volumetrics, environmental monitoring, and corridor inspections.
Edge 130 Features
Forward Flight and Hover
Independent tilt-pod technology transitions cleanly between hover and wing-borne flight, so crews can pause over a point of interest, then resume efficient forward flight without interrupting the mission.
Vertical Take-Off and Landing
Launch and recover in tight or unimproved sites. VTOL removes the need for runways, catapults, or recovery gear, which simplifies deployment for teams operating from roadsides, rooftops, or clearings.
Two Hour Flight Time
Fixed-wing efficiency delivers up to 125 minutes of endurance in forward flight, enabling wide-area coverage for mapping, patrol, and long-leg reconnaissance with fewer battery swaps.
Blue Approved Payloads
Swap Blue UAS approved payloads in seconds with no tools. Choose EO/IR for ISR or the three-camera mapping array for high-throughput data collection, all on a single airframe.
Cyber Hardened
AES-256 encrypted radios and disciplined link management protect command, control, and video downlink, supporting secure operations in sensitive environments.
Navigation Beacons
User-controlled visible and infrared beacons improve aircraft conspicuity for teammates and aid visual recovery during low-light operations.
Mission Command & Control (C2)
FlightWave Ground Control Station
The FlightWave GCS enables full mission planning and execution with enhanced autopilot technology. Crews can build routes in seconds, launch, and let the Edge 130 transition between multi-rotor hover and fixed-wing flight using thrust-vector control without pilot input. Operators can switch modes, steer sensors, and manage payload settings through native controls, while sharing live video and real-time telemetry to a team display through the HDMI interface.
The FlightWave GCS is compatible with Edge 130 Blue and Trichon. It provides 900 MHz telemetry and a 2.4 GHz data link, with HDMI video output for external monitors and command post integration.
FlightWave Mission Planner
Plan and execute complete missions with enhanced autopilot technology. Edge 130 transitions automatically between multi-rotor hover and fixed-wing forward flight using thrust-vector control with no pilot input. Choose from preprogrammed mapping and reconnaissance templates or design custom plans in seconds. Native controls handle mode changes, camera pointing, and sensor management while live video and flight telemetry stream to the team over USB-C.
Mission Planner: Path
Mission Planner: Grid
ARACHNID™ Family of Small ISR & Precision Effects Systems
ARACHNID™ is Red Cat’s family of portable, interoperable systems designed to transform defense and security operations. The ecosystem focuses on a sensor-to-shooter (S2S) workflow, linking target identification to optional precision effects, while emphasizing low-cost, recoverable, and rapidly deployable platforms. Its objective aligns with the Pentagon’s Replicator Initiative: scalable swarms of “attritable” ISR and surgical-strike assets for air, land, sea, and sub-sea environments.
Each platform shares a common control approach (ATAK-first), modular hardware, and open integration paths. Teams can mix and match aircraft and controllers to fit mission profiles without retraining or retooling an entire stack.
Black Widow™ — Short Range Reconnaissance
A small, tactical quadrotor built for front-line ISR, Black Widow is rucksack-portable, field-repairable, and optimized for close-in reconnaissance. It integrates the Teledyne FLIR Hadron 640R+ day/night sensor and delivers 45+ minutes of endurance with resilient comms—making it the workhorse ISR node in the ARACHNID™ family.
Trichon™ — Extended SRR (Under Development)
Trichon is a military-grade hybrid-VTOL tri-copter that extends range and endurance for ISR and mapping. It transitions seamlessly between hover and forward flight and supports tool-free payload swaps, enabling operations in tougher environments and longer standoff surveillance.
FANG™ — FPV Precision Effects (Under Development)
FANG adds FPV-based precision effects to the ecosystem. Under development and undergoing Blue UAS certification, it enables low-cost, portable, and recoverable kill-chain options when paired with ISR nodes. Operators can select capabilities per mission and manage them through a common ATAK interface to reduce cognitive load.
WEB™ — Warfighter Electronic Bridge
WEB™ is the universal ground control solution for ARACHNID™. Developed with Booz Allen Hamilton, it implements an industry-first ATAK UAS Tool to streamline mission planning, execution, and debrief. With Nett Warrior backhaul, a high-brightness display, and standardized inputs/outputs, WEB™ unifies control across multi-domain platforms and simplifies team training and sustainment.
Industries & Use Cases
Edge 130 is built for extended range reconnaissance and mapping at scale. The hybrid fixed-wing VTOL tricopter design pairs long endurance with precise hover, while swappable EO/IR and mapping payloads support day and night missions in challenging weather. Agencies and enterprises can cover more ground per flight and deliver decision-ready imagery faster.
| Border Security & Interdiction | Corridor patrols, cross-border surveillance, remote area overwatch, detection of foot and vehicle tracks, target handoff to ground teams |
| Drug Enforcement Taskforces | Route reconnaissance, stash site observation, rural site mapping, pattern-of-life documentation, EO/IR verification for safe approaches |
| Disaster Response & Recovery | Rapid damage assessment, debris and stockpile volumetrics, temporary route surveys, flood and wildfire progression mapping, claims documentation |
| GIS & Large-Scale Mapping | High-coverage orthomosaics, corridor mapping, terrain models, change detection, cadastral and land-use surveys for large project areas |
| Pipeline & Rail Inspections | Long linear infrastructure patrols, encroachment detection, right-of-way surveys, thermal anomaly screening on above-ground assets, vegetation monitoring |
| Large Area Search & Rescue | Wide-area grid searches, night operations with IR, route and clue mapping, overwatch for ground teams, fast coverage of remote terrain |
| Environmental Monitoring | Wildlife counts, habitat and vegetation health mapping, coastline and erosion surveys, watershed and algal bloom monitoring, restoration progress tracking |
Red Cat Edge 130 is a U.S.-manufactured reconnaissance and mapping fixed-wing VTOL platform that pairs multirotor precision with fixed-wing efficiency. The hybrid airframe lifts off vertically, hovers for target work, then transitions to forward flight for wide-area coverage. Crews get long endurance, stable performance in high winds, and fast tool-free payload swaps in the field. Edge 130 is NDAA and Blue UAS compliant, built for agencies and enterprises that need compliant hardware without giving up range or agility.
Edge 130 is designed for extended missions where minutes and miles matter. Typical cruise endurance reaches up to 125 minutes with a nominal cruise speed of 15 m/s and a link range of 20 km. The aircraft remains controllable in winds up to 40 mph, which keeps missions on the schedule when conditions are marginal.
Operators can configure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance with the stabilized Overwatch EO/IR gimbal that records 4K color video and 640×512 thermal, or switch to the Mapping Array that triggers three 13 MP sensors in sync to collect 39 MP per shot. That payload combination supports one-person deployment, rapid launch, and high quality data capture.
Edge 130 At a Glance
- Hybrid fixed-wing VTOL tricopter: vertical takeoff/landing, hover, and efficient forward flight
- Tool-free payload swaps for ISR or mapping missions
- Overwatch EO/IR gimbal: 4K color + 640×512 thermal on 3-axis stabilization
- Mapping Array: three synchronized 13 MP sensors (39 MP per capture) up to 5 fps
- One-person rapid setup; stable performance in winds up to 40 mph
- NDAA & Blue UAS compliant; encrypted links for secure operations
- Made in the USA
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Cruise Endurance | Up to 125 minutes* |
| Link Range | Up to 12.4 mi (20 km) |
| Vehicle Mass | 2.65 lb (1,200 g) |
| Wingspan | 51 in (130 cm) |
| Nominal Cruise Speed | 15 m/s (33 mph) |
| Max Wind Speed | 40 mph (17 m/s) |
| Payload Options | Overwatch EO/IR gimbal; Mapping Array (3×13 MP, 39 MP per shot) |
| Comms | 900 MHz telemetry; 2.4 GHz data |
*Standard atmospheric pressure.
Payloads
Overwatch EO/IR Gimbal
The Overwatch gimbal delivers stabilized, dual-sensor ISR in a compact, 3-axis package. A FlightWave Glo-12K color camera records detailed 4K/30fps video with 10× digital zoom, while a long-wave infrared imager captures 640×512 thermal with 2× digital zoom. Both sensors write full-resolution files to onboard storage as a compressed live feed streams to the ground station, giving teams positive ID in daylight or darkness without sacrificing post-mission evidence quality.
Mapping Array
The Mapping Array is a synchronized tri-camera module built for high-coverage photogrammetry. Three simultaneously triggered 13 MP CMOS sensors generate 39 MP per capture at up to 5 fps, writing to a high-speed removable card (up to ~1 TB). Tuned for ~1 cm/pixel at 100 m AGL across a ~100 m swath, the Edge 130 can map ~1,600 acres in a single 90-minute flight at nominal cruise, ideal for large-area GIS, disaster volumetrics, environmental monitoring, and corridor inspections.
Edge 130 Features
Forward Flight and Hover
Independent tilt-pod technology transitions cleanly between hover and wing-borne flight, so crews can pause over a point of interest, then resume efficient forward flight without interrupting the mission.
Vertical Take-Off and Landing
Launch and recover in tight or unimproved sites. VTOL removes the need for runways, catapults, or recovery gear, which simplifies deployment for teams operating from roadsides, rooftops, or clearings.
Two Hour Flight Time
Fixed-wing efficiency delivers up to 125 minutes of endurance in forward flight, enabling wide-area coverage for mapping, patrol, and long-leg reconnaissance with fewer battery swaps.
Blue Approved Payloads
Swap Blue UAS approved payloads in seconds with no tools. Choose EO/IR for ISR or the three-camera mapping array for high-throughput data collection, all on a single airframe.
Cyber Hardened
AES-256 encrypted radios and disciplined link management protect command, control, and video downlink, supporting secure operations in sensitive environments.
Navigation Beacons
User-controlled visible and infrared beacons improve aircraft conspicuity for teammates and aid visual recovery during low-light operations.
Mission Command & Control (C2)
FlightWave Ground Control Station
The FlightWave GCS enables full mission planning and execution with enhanced autopilot technology. Crews can build routes in seconds, launch, and let the Edge 130 transition between multi-rotor hover and fixed-wing flight using thrust-vector control without pilot input. Operators can switch modes, steer sensors, and manage payload settings through native controls, while sharing live video and real-time telemetry to a team display through the HDMI interface.
The FlightWave GCS is compatible with Edge 130 Blue and Trichon. It provides 900 MHz telemetry and a 2.4 GHz data link, with HDMI video output for external monitors and command post integration.
FlightWave Mission Planner
Plan and execute complete missions with enhanced autopilot technology. Edge 130 transitions automatically between multi-rotor hover and fixed-wing forward flight using thrust-vector control with no pilot input. Choose from preprogrammed mapping and reconnaissance templates or design custom plans in seconds. Native controls handle mode changes, camera pointing, and sensor management while live video and flight telemetry stream to the team over USB-C.
Mission Planner: Path
Mission Planner: Grid
ARACHNID™ Family of Small ISR & Precision Effects Systems
ARACHNID™ is Red Cat’s family of portable, interoperable systems designed to transform defense and security operations. The ecosystem focuses on a sensor-to-shooter (S2S) workflow, linking target identification to optional precision effects, while emphasizing low-cost, recoverable, and rapidly deployable platforms. Its objective aligns with the Pentagon’s Replicator Initiative: scalable swarms of “attritable” ISR and surgical-strike assets for air, land, sea, and sub-sea environments.
Each platform shares a common control approach (ATAK-first), modular hardware, and open integration paths. Teams can mix and match aircraft and controllers to fit mission profiles without retraining or retooling an entire stack.
Black Widow™ — Short Range Reconnaissance
A small, tactical quadrotor built for front-line ISR, Black Widow is rucksack-portable, field-repairable, and optimized for close-in reconnaissance. It integrates the Teledyne FLIR Hadron 640R+ day/night sensor and delivers 45+ minutes of endurance with resilient comms—making it the workhorse ISR node in the ARACHNID™ family.
Trichon™ — Extended SRR (Under Development)
Trichon is a military-grade hybrid-VTOL tri-copter that extends range and endurance for ISR and mapping. It transitions seamlessly between hover and forward flight and supports tool-free payload swaps, enabling operations in tougher environments and longer standoff surveillance.
FANG™ — FPV Precision Effects (Under Development)
FANG adds FPV-based precision effects to the ecosystem. Under development and undergoing Blue UAS certification, it enables low-cost, portable, and recoverable kill-chain options when paired with ISR nodes. Operators can select capabilities per mission and manage them through a common ATAK interface to reduce cognitive load.
WEB™ — Warfighter Electronic Bridge
WEB™ is the universal ground control solution for ARACHNID™. Developed with Booz Allen Hamilton, it implements an industry-first ATAK UAS Tool to streamline mission planning, execution, and debrief. With Nett Warrior backhaul, a high-brightness display, and standardized inputs/outputs, WEB™ unifies control across multi-domain platforms and simplifies team training and sustainment.
Industries & Use Cases
Edge 130 is built for extended range reconnaissance and mapping at scale. The hybrid fixed-wing VTOL tricopter design pairs long endurance with precise hover, while swappable EO/IR and mapping payloads support day and night missions in challenging weather. Agencies and enterprises can cover more ground per flight and deliver decision-ready imagery faster.
| Border Security & Interdiction | Corridor patrols, cross-border surveillance, remote area overwatch, detection of foot and vehicle tracks, target handoff to ground teams |
| Drug Enforcement Taskforces | Route reconnaissance, stash site observation, rural site mapping, pattern-of-life documentation, EO/IR verification for safe approaches |
| Disaster Response & Recovery | Rapid damage assessment, debris and stockpile volumetrics, temporary route surveys, flood and wildfire progression mapping, claims documentation |
| GIS & Large-Scale Mapping | High-coverage orthomosaics, corridor mapping, terrain models, change detection, cadastral and land-use surveys for large project areas |
| Pipeline & Rail Inspections | Long linear infrastructure patrols, encroachment detection, right-of-way surveys, thermal anomaly screening on above-ground assets, vegetation monitoring |
| Large Area Search & Rescue | Wide-area grid searches, night operations with IR, route and clue mapping, overwatch for ground teams, fast coverage of remote terrain |
| Environmental Monitoring | Wildlife counts, habitat and vegetation health mapping, coastline and erosion surveys, watershed and algal bloom monitoring, restoration progress tracking |
Red Cat Edge 130 Specifications
Aircraft
| Vehicle Mass | 1,200 g (2.65 lb) |
| Airframe Type | Hybrid fixed-wing VTOL tricopter |
| Energy Storage | Lithium-ion |
| Max Payload Mass | 345 g (0.76 lb) |
Dimensions
| Wingspan | 130 cm (51 in) |
| Length | 77 cm (30 in) |
| Height | 25 cm (10 in) |
Performance
| Cruise Endurance | Up to 125 minutes* |
| Hover-Only Endurance | 30 minutes |
| Nominal Cruise Speed | 15 m/s (33 mph) |
| Max Cruise Speed | 27 m/s (65 mph) |
| Min Cruise Speed | 11 m/s (24 mph) |
| Range | 20 km (12.4 mi) |
| Max Altitude | 3,650 m (12,000 ft) |
Power
| Battery Nominal Capacity | 86.4 Wh, 6.0 Ah, 14.8 V |
Communications
| Telemetry Link | 900 MHz |
| Data Link | 2.4 GHz |
Operating Limits
| Max Wind Speed | 17 m/s (40 mph) |
| Max Wind Gust | 6 m/s (13 mph) |
Payload – Overwatch EO/IR Gimbal
| EO Video Recording | 4K at 30 fps, 10× digital zoom |
| IR Video Recording | 640 × 512, 2× digital zoom |
| Digital Data Range | Up to 8 km (5 mi) with directional antenna |
Payload – Mapping Array
| Sensor Configuration | Three 13 MP CMOS cameras, simultaneously triggered |
| Total Capture | 39 MP at up to 5 fps |
| Storage | Removable onboard card, up to 1 TB, write speed up to 1400 MB/s |
| Sampling Example | Approx. 1 cm/px across a 100 m swath at 100 m AGL |
Ground Control Station – FlightWave GCS
| Compatibility | Edge 130 Blue, Trichon |
| Mission Control | Enhanced autopilot with automated VTOL–fixed-wing transitions, pre-programmed and custom missions |
| Interfaces | HDMI video output |
| Links | 900 MHz telemetry, 2.4 GHz data |
* Standard atmospheric pressure. Endurance and range vary with payload, environment, and mission profile.
(1) Edge 130 Blue air vehicle
(1) FlightWave Ground Control Station with charger
(1) FlightWave Mission Planner software
(2) Lithium-ion battery packs
(1) Battery charger
(2) Propeller sets
(1) Overwatch EO/IR gimbal payload
(1) Data storage card for Overwatch payload
(1) Mapping Array payload
(1) Data storage card for Mapping Array payload
(1) MIL-C-4150J hard case
(1) FlightWaveCare warranty
(1) Edge 130 Blue Training Module
Edge 130 Introduction
- NDAA: Yes (aircraft)
-
DIU Blue UAS: Yes (Edge 130 Blue configuration)
-
Remote ID: Yes
- Link Security: AES-128/256 encrypted radios
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