Phenix Solutions
Phenix Solutions designs and manufactures the Ultra 2XL, a heavy-lift VTOL unmanned aircraft system for military and government customers, featuring 1,300-pound payload capacity, a proprietary coaxial rotor design, and Rolls-Royce RR300 propulsion.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersMcminnville, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Phenix Solutions does
Phenix Solutions, Inc. (doing business as Phenix UAS) is a privately held, 100% employee-owned, veteran-owned U.S. defense aerospace manufacturer headquartered in McMinnville, Oregon. Founded in 2011 by Brian Riese as a services firm, the company pivoted in 2019 to heavy-lift unmanned aerial systems (UAS) development after securing investment from former Simplex Aerospace shareholders. Its flagship and currently sole product is the Ultra 2XL, a VTOL heavy-lift UAS at TRL 8 with a 1,300-pound cargo capacity, a 200+ nautical mile internal range, a 14,500-foot service ceiling, a cruise speed of 95 knots (max 125 knots), and a maximum takeoff weight of 3,000 pounds. The aircraft completed over 100 safe flights at the Pendleton UAS Test Range in 2024 and was selected for the US Army's Project Convergence Capstone 5 demonstration in 2025.
The Ultra 2XL employs a proprietary 24-foot coaxial rotor architecture claimed to deliver 30% more lift than traditional designs by eliminating dissymmetry of lift and removing the tail rotor. It is powered by a certified Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine (approximately 300 HP, with more than 1.6 million flight hours logged in civilian aerospace), paired with an Embention Veronte Autopilot for autonomous flight, automated precision launch and recovery, and BLOS command and control via SATCOM and LTE. The company uses digital twin engineering to support FAA and military airworthiness certification. Mission-configurable payloads address contested logistics, ISR/RSTA, light attack, electronic warfare, communications retrans, CASEVAC, aerial firefighting, and agricultural operations.
Phenix Solutions generates revenue almost exclusively through U.S. Department of Defense and allied government contracts, with primary customers including the USAF Agility Prime program (multi-phase Digital Engineering and Agile Manufacturing awards since 2021), the U.S. Navy (PMA-263 ULS-A and Next Generation Logistics Phase I), the U.S. Army (PCC5 demonstration), and the UK Ministry of Defence (UASHLC Framework). The go-to-market motion is enterprise field sales via direct government procurement, competitive contract vehicles, and defense exhibitions such as HAI Heli-Expo. The company operates with 11-50 employees, has received a series of non-dilutive government contract awards between 2021 and 2024, and is 100% employee-owned with no disclosed institutional venture or private equity capital.
Phenix Solutions firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Phenix Solutions
- Legal name
- Phenix Solutions, Inc.
- Website
- https://phenixuas.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Phenix Solutions designs and manufactures the Ultra 2XL, a heavy-lift VTOL unmanned aircraft system for military and government customers, featuring 1,300-pound payload capacity, a proprietary coaxial rotor design, and Rolls-Royce RR300 propulsion.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Phenix Solutions industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Heavy-Lift Unmanned Aircraft Systems
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)
Keywords
Where Phenix Solutions is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mcminnville
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Phenix Solutions 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
- Defense Aircraft Sales: Sale of certified heavy-lift UAS platforms (Ultra 2XL) to military and defense customers including DoD agencies and international defense forces.
- Government Defense Contracts: Revenue from government contracts including USAF Agility Prime (Digital Engineering, Agile Manufacturing), US Navy programs, and UK Ministry of Defence frameworks. These are multi-phase development and production contracts.
- Mission Equipment & Payloads: Multi-mission aerial systems with configurable payload options for cargo delivery, ISR, firefighting, and weapons integration.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Ultra 2XL heavy-lift UAS platform with configurable cargo and mission capabilities |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Phenix Solutions product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Phenix Solutions develops and manufactures the Ultra 2XL, a heavy-lift Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with a 1,300 lbs cargo capacity and 200+ nautical mile range. The aircraft uses a proprietary coaxial rotor architecture powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine, integrated with Embention autopilot for autonomous operations, and is sold primarily to defense and government customers for contested logistics, ISR, CASEVAC, and other tactical missions.
Product overview
Phenix Solutions is a veteran-founded, non-traditional defense aerospace manufacturer that develops and delivers mission-ready Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The company's primary product is the Ultra 2XL, a heavy-lift VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) UAS featuring a proprietary coaxial rotor system powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine. The Ultra 2XL is designed as a tactical unmanned resupply aircraft capable of carrying 1,300 lbs of cargo over 200+ nautical miles, with multi-role capabilities including contested logistics, ISR/RSTA, medical evacuation, and defense applications. The company operates under USAF Agility Prime and AFWERX programs and is pursuing both military and civilian aviation certifications, targeting certified products to meet military and commercial needs worldwide. Phenix Solutions leverages a COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf) parts strategy and adaptive technology approach.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Ultra 2XL: Heavy-lift UAS with 1,300 lbs cargo capacity, coaxial rotor system, powered by Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine. Features include 200+ nm range, 95 kts cruise speed, VTOL capability, and multi-role functions including contested logistics, RSTA/ISR, protection, light attack, electronic warfare, communications RETRANS, and CASEVAC.
Products and services
- Ultra 2XL Heavy-Lift UAS A heavy-lift VTOL Unmanned Aircraft System featuring a coaxial rotor system powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine. Carries 1,300 lbs of cargo over 200+ nautical miles with automated launch, recovery, and mission operations. Designed for military and government customers performing contested logistics, ISR/RSTA, CASEVAC, electronic warfare, communications retrans, and light attack missions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100+ safe flights completed during flight testing
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Phenix Solutions
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Phenix Solutions technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
Phenix Solutions partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Ministry of Defence of the United KingdomcoreUK Ministry of Defence selected Ultra 2XL for UAS Heavy Lift Capability Framework. Aircraft will compete for multiple sub-lots including intra/inter-theatre lift, maritime cargo delivery, and platform integration.
- Dillon AerocoreDillon Aero integrates weapons systems including M134D minigun into Ultra 2XL for gunship configuration. Company has delivered 6,500+ weapons systems in over 35 countries. Collaboration brings proven M134D capability to unmanned platform.
- Rolls-Royce Holdings PLCcoreRolls-Royce supplies RR300 turboshaft engines for the Ultra 2XL. The RR300 has nearly two decades of operation and over 1.6 million flight hours. Formal signing ceremony held at HAI Heli-Expo 2023 in Atlanta. Rolls-Royce Senior VP Sales Americas Paul Matthews expressed pride in the partnership.
- Eagle Technologies (Eagle Technology Aviation)coreEagle Technologies designs and manufactures the gearbox for Ultra 2XL at their Newport News, VA facility. They conducted successful dynamometer testing and are AS9100 Rev D certified for rotor blade and prop blade development.
- Onboard SystemscoreOnboard Systems develops multi-use cargo hook system for Ultra 2XL capable of safely lifting and carrying payloads up to 2,000 lbs with remote deliveries up to 200 miles. Company has 40+ years as leading provider of external load equipment for helicopter industry.
- EmbentioncoreEmbention provides Veronte Autopilot for Ultra 2XL. Company has 15 years experience and 50+ employees, participating in 500+ international projects. Phase I autopilot tuning completed enabling fully autonomous function.
- Oregon Manufacturing Extension Partnership (OMEP)coreOMEP collaborates with Phenix on production facility floorplan, quality control, manufacturing processes, and mass production methods. Part of Agile Manufacturing Phase II contract.
- Oregon UAS AcceleratorcoreOregon UAS Accelerator Program supports Phenix flight testing at Pendleton UAS Test Range. Program provides grants, mentorship, and facilities for UAS innovators including interns from Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation.
- USAF Agility Prime ProgramcoreAgility Prime is USAF AFWERX program that has awarded multiple contracts to Phenix including Digital Engineering, Agile Manufacturing, and aircraft development. Multi-year partnership since 2020.
- SNCminorSNC collaboration on expanding the flight envelope of Ultra 2XL as part of 2025 activities.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Phenix Solutions competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Textron Systems: Defense prime with tactical UAS (Aerosonde) and rotorcraft offerings that compete for DoD program dollars in adjacent mission categories.
- Boeing: Operates major defense UAS and cargo airlift programs (e.g., Cargo Air Vehicle, autonomous rotorcraft efforts) and is a potential competitor and partner for heavy-lift UAS defense procurement.
- Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin): Major rotorcraft OEM pursuing optionally piloted heavy-lift helicopters; competes for the same DoD and international heavy-lift mission sets as Phenix.
Emerging players
- Anduril Industries: Well-capitalized defense tech company building autonomous air systems (Fury, Bolt) for DoD customers, increasingly competing for UAS logistics and tactical programs.
- Dufour Aerospace: Swiss developer of tilt-wing eVTOL heavy-lift UAS (AeroShelf) for logistics and medical delivery, addressing similar defense and commercial cargo use cases as Phenix.
- Wingcopter: German heavy-lift UAS manufacturer focused on medical, commercial, and humanitarian cargo delivery, overlapping with Phenix's civilian/commercial segment ambitions.
Direct peers
- Kaman Aerospace: Manufacturer of the K-MAX heavy-lift unmanned/optionally piloted helicopter, the most operationally comparable platform to Phenix's Ultra 2XL for tactical heavy-lift cargo missions in defense and civilian applications.
- Elroy Air: Developer of the Chaparral VTOL heavy-lift cargo UAS targeting autonomous logistics for defense and commercial markets, directly competing with the Ultra 2XL in medium/heavy-lift unmanned cargo.
- Sabrewing Aircraft: Builder of the Rhaegal heavy-lift VTOL UAS for military and humanitarian cargo missions; comparable in payload class and target use cases to the Ultra 2XL.
Others
- SEI Industries: Aerial firefighting equipment provider (Bambi Bucket, Sling-Dragon) and current Phenix integration partner; relevant adjacent/ecosystem peer in the civilian heavy-lift UAS mission segment.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Phenix Solutions social profiles
Digital presencePhenix Solutions compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Phenix Solutions financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Phenix Solutions leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Phenix Solutions funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Phenix Solutions 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 Phenix Solutions
What does Phenix Solutions do?
Phenix Solutions develops and manufactures the Ultra 2XL, a heavy-lift Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with a 1,300 lbs cargo capacity and 200+ nautical mile range. The aircraft uses a proprietary coaxial rotor architecture powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turboshaft engine, integrated with Embention autopilot for autonomous operations, and is sold primarily to defense and government customers for contested logistics, ISR, CASEVAC, and other tactical missions.
Is Phenix Solutions a public or private company?
Phenix Solutions is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Phenix Solutions founded?
Phenix Solutions was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Phenix Solutions based?
Phenix Solutions is headquartered in Mcminnville, United States, in the North America region.
How does Phenix Solutions make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Defense Aircraft Sales are the primary driver. The others are government Defense Contracts and mission Equipment & Payloads.
Who are Phenix Solutions's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Textron Systems, Boeing and Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin). Emerging players are Anduril Industries, Dufour Aerospace and Wingcopter. Direct peers are Kaman Aerospace, Elroy Air and Sabrewing Aircraft. SEI Industries is listed as an others.
Does Phenix Solutions have an API?
No public API is recorded for Phenix Solutions.
What industry is Phenix Solutions in?
Phenix Solutions's product category is Heavy-Lift Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAC, VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAFAO, Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility). Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.