Hoverfly
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersSanford, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Hoverfly firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hoverfly
- Legal name
- Hoverfly Technologies
- Website
- https://hoverflytech.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hoverfly industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tethered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Defense Drones)
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Communications Equipment Manufacturing (3342)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG), UAS Communications, Datalinks, SATCOM & Remote Control Systems (IMABAIAJ), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)
Keywords
Where Hoverfly is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sanford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Hoverfly business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tethered Drone Hardware Sales: Hoverfly sells tethered drone systems (Sentry, Spectre) and the HIVE ecosystem of turnkey solutions. Hardware is sold as a capital purchase to government and defense customers, with customization based on payload configurations. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed.
- Drone as a Service (DAAS): Hoverfly provides drone services where its team operates the tethered drone system for customers at events or ongoing deployments. This service model lowers barriers for customers who cannot afford their own systems and pilots, with the company taking on flight liability and piloting responsibilities.
- Integration and Engineering Services: Hoverfly offers dedicated engineering support to integrate third-party payloads (cameras, radios, counter-UAS radars) onto its tethered platform. The company performs testing and validation of combined solutions, creating an additional service revenue stream.
- Drone Components (Hoverfly Elements): Hoverfly Elements division sells NDAA-compliant drone components including motors, electronic speed controllers, and GPS modules to the defense and commercial UAS market, diversifying revenue into the components supply chain.
- Training and Support Services: Hoverfly provides extensive customer training, payload integration assistance, mission support, and sustainment services. Each system includes a spares kit and warranty, with retraining programs available.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Sentry - Single-payload tethered UAS for defense, security, and public safety |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | Spectre 2.0 - Advanced multi-payload tethered UAS with DIU Blue List and Green List certification |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | HIVE Suite - Turnkey solutions bundling TeUAS with integrated payloads and third-party technologies |
| Subscription | Annual | Drone as a Service (DAAS) - Operated drone deployment for events and ongoing security operations |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hoverfly product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hoverfly Technologies designs, manufactures, and sells tethered unmanned aerial systems (TeUAS) that deliver persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), tactical communications relay (Variable Height Antenna), and counter-UAS capabilities to defense, security, and public safety customers. Core product lines include the Sentry and Spectre tethered drones, the HIVE suite of mission-configured solutions (RECON, SPEARHEAD, RELAY, SHIELD, NEXUS), Drone as a Service (DAAS) operated-service engagements, and the Hoverfly Elements division producing NDAA-compliant drone components.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HIVE (Hoverfly ISR VHA EW): Turnkey solution suite built around Hoverfly TeUAS, offering packaged loadouts for rapid procurement including RECON (Persistent ISR), SPEARHEAD (On-The-Move), RELAY (Variable Height Antenna), SHIELD (Live Overwatch), and NEXUS (Unmanned Teaming).
- Hoverfly Elements
- Hoverfly Motors - Powered by KRM
Products and services
- Sentry Single-payload tethered UAS designed for rapid ISR or network range extension. MIL-STD-810 and IP54 compliant, supports GPS-denied operation, and integrates payloads including PTZ2 camera gimbal, Silvus/Trellisware radios, and PRC-163/161 radios. Used by the U.S. Army and other defense/security customers.
- Spectre Advanced multi-payload tethered UAS and the only DIU Blue List and Green List certified tethered drone. Supports simultaneous network range extension and ISR or advanced Counter-UAS operations. No RF emission; all C2 data transmits over the tether. Designed for vehicle/H-MIF mounting.
- HIVE Suite Turnkey ecosystem of mission-configured tethered drone solutions bundling the base TeUAS platform with pre-configured payloads for specific mission types (persistent ISR, VHA communications relay, on-the-move, live overwatch, and unmanned teaming). Simplifies defense and security procurement.
- RECON Persistent ISR solution in the HIVE suite, providing continuous aerial surveillance from 200 ft with advanced EO/IR camera gimbals and AI vision (Athena AI Vision). Available in three tiers from Sentry Core to Spectre with AI Vision. Designed for base, border, and infrastructure security deployments.
- SPEARHEAD Mounted ISR and mobile Command & Control solution in the HIVE suite, transforming Hoverfly TeUAS into a mobile intelligence package. Enables persistent situational awareness at 200 ft while on the move at up to 10 mph using proprietary isolation technology.
- RELAY Variable Height Antenna (VHA) solution in the HIVE suite, elevating tactical radios and data links to 200 ft to extend line-of-sight, strengthen signal integrity, and enable dispersed teams to maintain a shared common operating picture. Supports Silvus, TrellisWare, Persistent Systems, Doodle Labs, and other IP-based radios.
- SHIELD Live overwatch solution in the HIVE suite, delivering continuous aerial surveillance for public safety, emergency response, and large-scale event operations. Provides persistent video streaming from 200 ft and integrates with existing VMS and SIEM systems.
- NEXUS Network Extension of Unmanned Systems solution in the HIVE suite, enabling a single operator to control multiple unmanned aerial and ground systems through Hoverfly TeUAS's extended range. Creates a persistent 200 ft network node extending C2 range up to 10x for robotic combat integration and Human-Machine Integrated Formations.
- Drone as a Service (DAAS) Subscription-style service in which Hoverfly provides tethered drone systems, expert pilots, and integration into existing security operations. Hoverfly handles deployment, operation, and maintenance; customers get persistent 200 ft aerial surveillance without owning the system or pilot crew. Targets public safety agencies, event security providers, and institutions.
- Hoverfly Elements Business division offering NDAA-compliant drone components including motors and electronic speed controllers powered by Korea Robot Manufacturing (KRM), and GPS modules developed with Septentrio. Targets federal mandates requiring verified non-Chinese supply chains under the Drone Dominance Program Supply Chain Framework.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 600 tethered UAS fielded in U.S. Army as VHA for ITN — more than all competitors combined
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Hoverfly
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Hoverfly technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration26 records
AI capability5 records
Feature8 records
Hoverfly partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major and strategic.
- SeptentriomajorHoverfly partnered with Septentrio to develop GPS modules for its Hoverfly Elements component line. These GPS modules are NDAA-compliant and designed for the U.S. defense and commercial UAS market, targeting federal mandates requiring verified non-Chinese supply chains.
- PicogridstrategicHoverfly and Picogrid connected persistent aerial sensing to improve low-altitude threat detection during the Scarlet Dragon Exercise, demonstrating integrated capabilities for defense applications.
- Overland AImajorHoverfly and Overland AI expanded their collaboration to develop integrated unmanned air-ground systems for defense and security missions. Their joint solutions enhance situational awareness, endurance, and autonomy in complex environments, supporting U.S. Department of War's focus on autonomous multi-domain operations.
- AeroVironmentmajorHoverfly's tethered drone systems were officially whitelisted on AeroVironment's AV_Halo Command and Control software platform. This integration enables native support and immediate deployment within AeroVironment's ecosystem, linking Hoverfly's TeUAS platforms with over 20 other unmanned systems in a unified tactical network.
- Maser DefencestrategicMaser Defence partnered with Hoverfly to successfully deliver Hoverfly Sentry TeUAS for Australian Defence Force trials, representing Hoverfly's entry into the Australian defense market through a local channel partner.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Hoverfly competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elistair: Elistair designs and manufactures tethered drone systems (Tethered UAV) for defense, security, and industrial inspection — directly overlapping with Hoverfly's Sentry/Spectre ISR and persistent surveillance offering across both government and commercial buyers.
- Drone Aviation (now ComSovereign): Drone Aviation historically produced tethered aerostats and UAS for U.S. military and public safety customers, competing head-to-head with Hoverfly in persistent elevated ISR and communications-relay missions.
Broad incumbents
- AeroVironment: AeroVironment is the leading U.S. tactical small UAS incumbent (Switchblade, Puma, Raven) and now a Hoverfly AV_Halo integration partner; it is a broad incumbent whose portfolio overlaps with Hoverfly's tactical ISR and counter-UAS use cases, particularly for DoD buyers.
- Anduril Industries: Anduril is a high-growth U.S. defense-tech incumbent building autonomous UAS (Roadrunner, Ghost), counter-UAS, and networked C2 — competing with Hoverfly for DoD persistent ISR, counter-UAS, and H-MIF program dollars at higher funding scale.
- Shield AI: Shield AI develops autonomous UAS (V-BAT, Hivemind) for ISR and electronic warfare with a strong DoD installed base, making it a broader incumbent competitor for the same tethered-elevated-ISR and multi-domain mission set that Hoverfly targets.
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman is a major U.S. defense prime with extensive UAS programs (Global Hawk, MQ-8, IBCS networking) and counter-UAS work, competing for the same elevated ISR and integrated tactical network dollars that Hoverfly's VHA and HIVE solutions target.
Emerging players
- Skydio: Skydio is a leading U.S. small UAS manufacturer with strong autonomy and a growing defense/public-safety footprint (short-range ISR), competing with Hoverfly on the autonomy and public-safety segments but without a tethered platform.
- TEKEVER: TEKEVER provides fixed-wing tactical UAS for ISR and maritime surveillance to European and allied defense customers, emerging as a competitor in the same international persistent-ISR market where Hoverfly is expanding via Maser Defence and similar partners.
- UAVTEK: UAVTEK designs micro and tactical fixed-wing UAS for defense and security users in the UK and Europe, representing an emerging competitor in the same small-tactical ISR category that sits adjacent to Hoverfly's persistent mission set.
Others
- Korea Robot Manufacturing (KRM): KRM is both an investor and propulsion-systems partner to Hoverfly, supplying BLDC motors and ESCs at scale (300,000 units annually) for the Hoverfly Elements division; it is an enabling supplier rather than a direct competitor but materially shapes Hoverfly's go-to-market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hoverfly social profiles
Digital presenceHoverfly compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Hoverfly financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hoverfly leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Hoverfly funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds7 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hoverfly M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hoverfly
What does Hoverfly do?
Hoverfly Technologies designs, manufactures, and sells tethered unmanned aerial systems (TeUAS) that deliver persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), tactical communications relay (Variable Height Antenna), and counter-UAS capabilities to defense, security, and public safety customers. Core product lines include the Sentry and Spectre tethered drones, the HIVE suite of mission-configured solutions (RECON, SPEARHEAD, RELAY, SHIELD, NEXUS), Drone as a Service (DAAS) operated-service engagements, and the Hoverfly Elements division producing NDAA-compliant drone components.
Is Hoverfly a public or private company?
Hoverfly is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Hoverfly founded?
Hoverfly was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Hoverfly based?
Hoverfly is headquartered in Sanford, United States, in the North America region.
How does Hoverfly make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Tethered Drone Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are drone as a Service (DAAS), integration and Engineering Services, drone Components (Hoverfly Elements) and training and Support Services.
Who are Hoverfly's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elistair and Drone Aviation (now ComSovereign). Broad incumbents are AeroVironment, Anduril Industries, Shield AI and Northrop Grumman. Emerging players are Skydio, TEKEVER and UAVTEK. Korea Robot Manufacturing (KRM) is listed as an others.
Does Hoverfly have an API?
Yes. Hoverfly offers an open API and Software Development Kit (SDK) that allows Hoverfly and its sensors to be controlled over various networks or the internet for multiple fused sources in a Common Operating Picture (COP). The SDK provides three levels of access: full control, payload-only control, and telemetry monitoring. Library interfaces are available for .NET and C++, with MAVLink standard message-passing interfaces also supported. The SDK enables seamless integration with existing security and video management systems.
What industry is Hoverfly in?
Hoverfly's product category is Tethered Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Defense Drones). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAB, Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV), with a secondary code of IMABAIAG, Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.