1. Abstract / Summary
The Astro by Freefly Systems is a highly adaptable, NDAA-compliant drone built for demanding commercial, industrial, and government missions. With Doodle Labs’ RM-1700-22M3 Mini Mesh Rider Radio integrated into its communications stack, Astro delivers long-range, high-bandwidth, and resilient connectivity across complex environments. The result: a future-ready UAS platform trusted for BVLOS operations, real-time inspection, and data-heavy aerial workflows.
2. Background
Freefly Systems is known for revolutionizing aerial platforms across cinema, enterprise, and defense sectors. With Astro, they introduced a professional-grade sUAS that combines performance, modularity, and regulatory compliance in a single, easy-to-deploy solution.
Built around their open Auterion-powered stack, Astro supports everything from high-resolution sensors to advanced onboard computing. But to unlock the full potential of these systems—especially in data-intensive and BVLOS missions—Astro needed a next-generation radio solution.
3. The Program or Mission Need
Astro was engineered to:
- Support real-time video and telemetry for industrial and critical infrastructure inspections
- Enable extended-range operations including beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) missions
- Comply with NDAA and Blue sUAS guidelines for secure federal procurement
- Deliver field-proven reliability across commercial and government use cases
- Integrate cleanly into Freefly’s open architecture ecosystem
At the heart of these capabilities was a clear requirement: a compact, secure, high-performance data link.
4. The Evaluation Landscape
Freefly evaluated a range of radios across multiple categories. The team identified key gaps:
- Limited Frequency Support: Some radios were locked to a single band, constraining global deployment.
- Subpar Throughput: Others struggled to handle simultaneous HD video and telemetry.
- Security Tradeoffs: A number of options failed to meet U.S. government cybersecurity standards.
- Incompatibility with SWaP Targets: Larger radios added unacceptable size, weight, or power demands.
Freefly needed a solution that would enhance—not constrain—their platform’s versatility.
5. Selection Criteria
The radio system needed to deliver on five core criteria:
- Dual-band operation (900–2450 MHz) for flexible deployment in ISM bands
- Compact, lightweight form factor to preserve Astro’s endurance and maneuverability
- High throughput for 4K video, telemetry, and control links
- Mesh networking and secure comms (AES-256 encryption, FHSS)
- Field-proven reliability across enterprise and tactical missions
6. Why the Partner Chose Doodle Labs
Freefly selected Doodle Labs’ RM-1700-22M3 Mini Mesh Rider Radio because it offered a rare combination of performance, integration ease, and regulatory readiness:
- Dual-band (915 MHz and 2.4 GHz) operation within a single Mini OEM module
- Miniature size that easily fit within Astro’s electronics bay
- Robust throughput suitable for HD video streaming and real-time control
- Mesh Rider® protocol for multi-node and redundant network topologies
- Full NDAA compliance with secure, US-origin hardware and software stack
Doodle Labs provided a best-in-class comms link that aligned perfectly with Astro’s high-performance goals.
7. Solution Overview
The RM-1700-22M3 was seamlessly integrated into Astro’s flight and control systems, enabling:
- Long-range, low-latency digital communications between the drone and ground stations
- Secure control and video transmission, even in spectrum-congested environments
- Support for mesh networking, enabling future extensions like swarming or multi-drone coordination
- Plug-and-play compatibility with Freefly’s modular architecture and Auterion Skynode OS
The radio system empowers Astro to operate reliably across diverse terrains—from urban inspections to wilderness search-and-rescue missions.
8. Program or Mission Win
By integrating Doodle Labs’ radio, Freefly unlocked new capabilities for Astro:
- NDAA compliance and Blue UAS alignment, making it suitable for federal and DoD use
- Expanded mission profiles, including high-throughput inspection, photogrammetry, and real-time mapping
- Increased trust among government and enterprise buyers, who prioritize secure, resilient platforms
- Global versatility, thanks to support for ISM bands used in multiple regions
Astro now stands as one of the most advanced and flexible commercial drones in its class—with the connectivity backbone to match.
9. Platform or System Highlights
Astro Drone:
- Modular design with Auterion open ecosystem
- 37-minute flight time with sensor payload
- 1.5 kg payload capacity
- Optional RTK GNSS and LTE modules
- NDAA-compliant and US-manufactured
- Used in inspections, public safety, defense, and surveying
Doodle Labs RM-1700-22M3 Mini:
- Dual-band (900–2450 MHz) for flexible deployments
- Miniature OEM form factor
- Throughput up to 100 Mbps
- AES-256 encryption + FHSS
- Mesh Rider® technology for resilient, dynamic networking
- Optimized for drones, UGVs, robotics, and mobile platforms
10. Performance Validation
Freefly and Doodle Labs validated the system under field-realistic conditions. Key performance benchmarks included:
- Stable comms over extended distances in non-line-of-sight conditions
- Low-latency HD video streaming during fast maneuvers
- Consistent link quality across different antenna orientations and weather conditions
- Robust interference resistance, thanks to FHSS and dual-band agility
While detailed metrics are proprietary, the integration has consistently met the demands of real-world operations and government deployments.
11. Strategic Impact
Astro is now recognized as one of the few NDAA-compliant enterprise drones offering:
- Advanced autonomy and open-system compatibility
- Secure, long-range communications
- Broad use-case versatility—from infrastructure to ISR
- Accelerated acquisition paths for defense and public safety programs
Doodle Labs plays a critical role in enabling that strategic positioning, giving Freefly a comms backbone that scales with the mission.
12. Looking Ahead
With increasing interest from public safety, utilities, and defense programs, Freefly is continuing to evolve Astro with:
- Swarm capabilities powered by Mesh Rider’s networking stack
- Edge AI integrations for onboard analytics
- Global deployment readiness, supported by flexible band options
- Deeper collaboration with Doodle Labs around emerging RF and tactical comms standards
Astro is ready for the future—and the radio link is already there.
