Carbonix, an Australian provider of long-range uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) platform solutions, has announced that its Volanti drone has been granted a nationwide waiver for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in uncontrolled airspace across the United States.
The Volanti is Carbonix’s fully electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone. It is known for its versatility, precision and extended flight capabilities and excels in executing rapid aerial surveys across vast and rugged terrain.
The waiver, secured through Carbonix’s US partner, ArgenTech Solutions, allows Volanti drones to operate beyond the line of sight of the pilot, eliminating the constraints of traditional line-of-sight operations significantly and enhancing the capabilities of UAV missions. This will enable scalable long-range data collection missions, leveraging Carbonix’s advanced UAV platforms in combination with ArgenTech’s expertise in UAV operations and regulatory compliance in critical industries including agriculture, environmental monitoring, energy infrastructure, and more.
ArgenTech supported the Volanti earlier this year as it flew missions with Quebec-based Exo Drone to combat a devastating bushfire season in Canada where it proved particularly effective in identifying wildfires sparked by lightning strikes, which, if left unchecked, can pose significant threats. It is the first Australian fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone to execute fully automated BVLOS missions for commercial purposes. Carbonix CEO Philip van der Burg said the waiver enables the Volanti to serve a broader range of applications with greater flexibility and cost-effectiveness and represents a pivotal moment for both organizations.
“Our drones are designed for long-range, high-endurance missions, and this approval validates their role as leaders in the UAV space,” he said. “With ArgenTech Solutions operating the Volanti in the US, we are excited to bring our innovative technology to a broader market.”
ArgenTech Solutions CEO Brian Veroneau said the waiver is expected to drive the adoption of UAVs for missions in industries that demand reliable, long-range capabilities. “The waiver positions Carbonix and the Volanti as frontrunners in the rapidly evolving UAV industry, setting new benchmarks for safety, scalability, and innovation,” he said.
“We are now able to operate at an entirely new scale, providing our clients with more flexible, powerful, and sustainable UAV solutions. Partnering with Carbonix ensures we are equipped with the most advanced UAV technology to deliver exceptional results.”
