The Freefly Alta X Gen2 NDAA is the NDAA-compliant configuration of Freefly's flagship heavy-lift drone, designed and assembled in Woodinville, Washington. It combines the rugged, proven Alta X airframe and ActiveBlade propulsion with the next-generation Skynode flight controller from the Astro Max, Smart Dovetail payload interoperability, and a Doodle Labs secure radio link on the Pilot Pro controller. The result is a 35 lb payload capacity industrial platform that is procurement-ready for federal, state and local, and critical-infrastructure programs that require NDAA Section 848 compliant hardware and a trusted supply chain.
NDAA Section 848 compliant. 35 lb payload. Skynode flight controller. Built in Woodinville, WA for the heaviest lifts and the toughest missions.
Features
- NDAA Section 848 compliant airframe, Pilot Pro controller, and Doodle Labs secure radio link: approved for procurement by programs that require NDAA hardware
- Designed, assembled, tested, and supported in Woodinville, WA with an auditable US and allied supply chain
- 35 lb (~15.9 kg) maximum payload capacity for cinema rigs, heavy LiDAR, multi-payload configurations, gas generators, tethers, and cargo
- Custom Skynode flight controller, the same platform that powers Astro Max: enhanced GPS resilience, precise RTK navigation, intelligent failsafes, and AuterionOS integration
- Smart Dovetail payload interface with quick-connect to Freefly and third-party payloads, plus expanded communication and power pathways
- Doodle Labs secure mesh radio link with AES-encrypted command and control on NDAA-compliant hardware
- Pre-installed 12 mm rail mount for heavy payloads up to 35 lb and isolated Smart Dovetail mount for Freefly LR1 and other payloads up to ~3.3 lb
- Internal payload bay with onboard Ethernet, regulated 12 V and 24 V payload power, and optional LTE connectivity for remote operation and data pipelines
- Removable chassis panels make it easy to integrate custom hardware, tethers, or mission computers
- ActiveBlade propellers reduce in-flight vibration by roughly 5x compared to standard props for cleaner data capture, steadier video, and longer component life
- Upgraded Tattu AS150U 12S smart batteries for more accurate flight time estimation and safer field handling (batteries and chargers sold separately)
- Folds for transport and ships in a Pelican-style hard case that carries the airframe with 12 mm rails and Smart Dovetail installed, Pilot Pro, spare ActiveBlade props, and skid landing gear
- Built-in FPV camera with live feed on Pilot Pro for payload awareness and obstacle monitoring during operations
- FAA Standard Remote ID pre-installed and configured for Part 89 broadcast compliance
Compliance
| NDAA Section 848 | Compliant: airframe, Pilot Pro controller, and Doodle Labs radio link are all NDAA compliant |
| DIU Blue UAS | In process for approval. Pilot Pro controller and Doodle Labs radio link are already Blue compliant; airframe approval is pending |
| FCC | Ships with FCC-approved critical components (DA 25-1086) |
| FAA Standard Remote ID | Pre-installed and configured, suitable for Part 89 broadcast and BVLOS operations |
| Country of origin | Designed and assembled in Woodinville, WA, USA |
| Radio | Doodle Labs secure mesh (NDAA compliant) |
| Eligible buyers | DoD, federal civilian agencies, state and local government, utilities, public safety, and commercial operators with NDAA procurement requirements |
Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Aircraft | |
| Configuration | Quadcopter, folding carbon fiber airframe |
| Propellers | Freefly ActiveBlade, ~5x vibration reduction |
| Max payload | 35 lb (~15.9 kg) |
| Thrust ratio | 2.5 : 1 (at base weight) |
| Max flight time (no payload) | Up to 50 minutes |
| Flight time (8 lb mapping camera) | ~35 minutes |
| Flight time (11 lb LiDAR) | ~30 minutes |
| Flight time (22 lb Mōvi Carbon) | ~22 minutes |
| Mission computer | Custom Skynode with Auterion Enterprise PX4 / AuterionOS |
| Positioning | u-blox F9P multi-band GPS, optional Freefly RTK base station for centimeter accuracy |
| Cloud connectivity | Optional onboard LTE, Auterion Mission Control, Auterion Suite fleet management |
| Radio and control | |
| Primary datalink | Doodle Labs secure mesh (NDAA compliant) |
| Controller | Freefly Pilot Pro, preconfigured for Alta X Gen2 with Doodle Labs radio |
| Controller runtime | 6+ hours, dual safety kill switches, Hall-effect gimbals |
| Remote ID | FAA Standard Remote ID pre-installed |
| Payload interface | |
| Top mount | 12 mm rail kit pre-installed for payloads up to 35 lb |
| Bottom mount | Isolated Smart Dovetail for Freefly payloads up to 1.5 kg / 3.3 lb |
| Payload bus | Ethernet, MAVLink, serial, regulated 12 V and 24 V payload power, CAN, I2C, USB-C, UART, 3x 10 A fused 50 V outputs |
| Internal bay | Removable chassis panels for custom integrations and mission computers |
| FPV | Built-in FPV camera, live feed on Pilot Pro |
| Power | |
| Battery type | Tattu AS150U 12S smart batteries (two required per flight, sold separately) |
| Recommended loadout | Six AS150U batteries and one dual-channel smart charger per aircraft for three flights between charges |
| Onboard regulation | 12 V and 24 V regulated payload outputs |
| Landing gear (included) | |
| Type | Skid landing gear with 380 mm / 14.97 in quick-release legs |
| Build and origin | |
| SKU | 950-00174 |
| Design and assembly | Woodinville, Washington, USA |
| Compliance | NDAA Section 848 compliant, DIU Blue approval in process |
Mission-ready configurations
- Heavy LiDAR and mapping. Carry full-size helicopter-grade LiDAR sensors and 100 MP Phase One mapping cameras for corridor surveys, powerline inspection, and large-area photogrammetry.
- Cinema and broadcast. Fly Mōvi Pro / Mōvi XL / Mōvi Carbon with high-end cinema cameras, high-speed Phantom Veo, or long-lens broadcast rigs. Pair with the Payload Vibration Damper and Skyview landing gear for cinema work.
- Cargo and delivery. With the cargo landing gear and short quick-release mount, Alta X Gen2 carries medical supplies, logging lines, winches, and tethered payloads. Used for 3,000 ft Amsteel rope pulls and blood / medical delivery missions.
- Utility and infrastructure. Substation inspection, vegetation management, and tower work with heavy radiometric thermal, optical gas imaging, or multi-sensor payloads.
- Public safety and defense. Rapid-deploy heavy-lift platform for SAR, wildfire, and mission-specific payloads that require NDAA-compliant hardware.
Who this is for
- Federal, state, and local agencies required to purchase NDAA Section 848 compliant drones
- Utilities and critical-infrastructure operators whose procurement policies require compliant hardware and a trusted supply chain
- Cinematographers and broadcast teams flying cinema gimbals, film cameras, and high-speed rigs that exceed consumer drone payload limits
- Survey, mapping, and inspection service providers carrying heavy LiDAR, multispectral, or multi-sensor payloads
- Cargo, logging, and industrial operators moving ropes, winches, sensors, or supplies in terrain where crews cannot easily go
What's included
- 1 × Alta X Gen2 airframe with Standard Remote ID and ActiveBlade props installed
- 1 × Pilot Pro controller, preconfigured for Alta X Gen2 with Doodle Labs radio
- 1 × 12 mm rail kit (installed) for payloads up to 35 lb
- 1 × Smart Dovetail isolated mount for Freefly payloads up to 1.5 kg / 3.3 lb (installed)
- 1 × Skid landing gear set with 380 mm / 14.97 in quick-release legs
- 1 × Alta X Gen2 hard case sized to carry the airframe with rails and Smart Dovetail installed, the Pilot Pro, a set of spare ActiveBlade props, and the medium-leg skid landing gear
- 1 × Extra Bits Kit: AS150U fused bench adapter, 2× 10 A power distribution fuses, spare battery retention strap, USB-C to USB-C cable (1.82 m), 64 GB USB-C thumb drive, 4× ActiveBlade bumper replacements, 4× balance lead sticker covers for wet-weather operations
- Regulatory and quick-start documentation
FAQ
How is this different from the standard Alta X Gen2?
Same airframe, same payload capacity, same Smart Dovetail ecosystem, same Skynode flight controller. The NDAA configuration ships with a Doodle Labs secure radio link in place of the standard radio on the Pilot Pro, and the airframe, controller, and radio link are all NDAA Section 848 compliant. If you are buying with federal funds or under a procurement policy that requires NDAA hardware, this is the version you want.
Is this on the Blue UAS Cleared List?
Not yet. The Pilot Pro controller and Doodle Labs radio link are already Blue compliant, but the Alta X Gen2 airframe itself is still in process for Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) Blue UAS approval. For procurement today, it meets NDAA Section 848 requirements. If your contract strictly requires a Cleared-List airframe, the Astro Max NDAA is on the Blue UAS Cleared List and is a better fit until the Alta X Gen2 approval is finalized.
What does NDAA Section 848 compliant mean?
Section 848 of the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act prohibits federal departments and agencies from procuring or operating drones and components from certain covered foreign entities. NDAA compliant drones are built without those covered components. The Alta X Gen2 NDAA meets this requirement.
Are batteries and chargers included?
No. To keep the base listing flexible for operators with different mission profiles, the Alta X Gen2 NDAA does not include batteries or chargers. We recommend at least six Tattu AS150U 12S batteries and one dual-channel smart charger per aircraft for three flights between charges. Contact us to build a complete package that fits your mission cycle.
What payloads does it work with?
Out of the box it carries any Smart Dovetail payload on the isolated bottom mount (Freefly LR1, LR1 Thermal, Flux LiDAR, and others up to 1.5 kg), and any 12 mm rail-mounted payload up to 35 lb on the top. With the right landing gear and accessories it also flies Mōvi Pro / XL / Carbon, Phase One mapping cameras, Phoenix and YellowScan LiDAR, Phantom Veo high-speed cameras, cinema lighting, tethers, and cargo rigs. If you need NDAA compliance end-to-end, pair the aircraft with a Blue / NDAA-compliant payload.
What is the flight time with my payload?
Roughly 50 minutes with no payload, 35 minutes with an 8 lb mapping camera, 30 minutes with an 11 lb LiDAR, and 22 minutes with a 22 lb Mōvi Carbon. Actual flight time depends on battery pair selected, temperature, wind, and mission profile.
Do you offer training and support?
Yes. We offer in-person and remote training for pilots, fleet managers, and data teams, and Freefly stocks all critical spare parts for same or next business day shipping. Freefly's US-based engineering and support teams back the aircraft directly, and the optional industrial package adds Auterion predictive maintenance and live fleet monitoring.
Do I need a license to fly this drone?
In the United States, commercial operation requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Federal, state, and local agencies may operate under Part 89 / public aircraft rules depending on the mission. The aircraft ships with Standard Remote ID pre-installed to meet FAA Part 89 broadcast requirements and is compliant for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
What is the warranty period?
The Alta X Gen2 ships with Freefly's standard manufacturer warranty against defects in materials and workmanship. Contact us for current extended care and service plan options.
Please note: This listing is the NDAA configuration of the Freefly Alta X Gen2 (SKU 950-00174). Batteries and chargers are sold separately. If your procurement does not require NDAA compliance, the standard Freefly Alta X Gen2 is typically the better value.
