Parallel Flight Technologies has announced a distribution partnership with Australian uncrewed systems provider Drone Forge to bring its Firefly unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to customers across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, initially focusing on Australia and its territories.
In a media release, Parallel Flight said Drone Forge would manage regional sales, customer integration and operations for the Firefly platform. The agreement also provides for Drone Forge to expand into authorised servicing, maintenance and training over time.
Parallel Flight CEO Craig Stevens said the partnership would help the company respond to interest from regional customers.
“We’re seeing strong inbound interest from this region, and Drone Forge brings the local expertise and operational capability needed to support customers effectively,” Stevens said.
According to Parallel Flight, the partnership addresses demand for long-endurance, heavy-lift aerial capabilities across sectors including defence, maritime operations, mining, wildland fire management and critical infrastructure.
The company said its Firefly aircraft is a Group 3 UAS manufactured in the United States. Powered by Parallel Flight’s patented Parallel Hybrid Electric Multirotor propulsion system, the platform has a stated payload capacity of up to 45kg and endurance of up to 10 times that of all-electric UAS. Parallel Flight also said the aircraft can provide up to 2kW of continuous in-flight power to payloads.
Drone Forge CEO Tom Symes said the hybrid propulsion system offered extended range and endurance compared with traditional electric systems.
“Its hybrid propulsion architecture unlocks the extended range and endurance operators have been waiting for,” Symes said. “This translates into longer missions, fewer interruptions, and a clear operational advantage for customers in the field.”
Drone Forge describes itself as an uncrewed systems integrator serving defence, government and critical infrastructure customers across air, land and maritime domains. Its services include systems integration, compliance, training and lifecycle support.
Parallel Flight said the agreement marks a step in its global expansion strategy, with Drone Forge expected to support the introduction of Firefly to customers across Australia and the wider APAC region.
