Insitu
Insitu, a wholly-owned Boeing subsidiary founded in 1994, designs and manufactures small tactical unmanned aerial systems (ScanEagle, Integrator, RQ-21A) for defense and government ISR customers across 35+ countries, supported by modular payloads, software, and sustainment services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersBingen, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Insitu does
Insitu, Inc., founded in 1994 in Bingen, Washington, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company that designs, manufactures, and operates small tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for defense and government customers in more than 35 countries. The company has produced more than 3,500 aircraft and accumulated over 1.6 million operational flight hours across three core platforms — ScanEagle, Integrator (including the RQ-21A Blackjack variant), and associated payloads — distinguished by runway-independent launch and recovery enabled by the proprietary FLARES VTOL system developed with Hood Tech. Its modular architecture supports six payload bays on Integrator with up to 40 lb capacity, accommodating EO/IR turrets, AI-powered wide-area maritime search sensors (PT-6/Overwatch-AI), SIGINT, SAR (in development with TNO), WAMI, kinetic munitions (Shryke via Corvid/L3Harris), and proliferated LEO SATCOM datalinks extending range to 2,000 nautical miles.
Insitu's revenue model combines hardware platform sales, modular payload/sensor sales, recurring software licensing (INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, cGCS, Tungsten SDK, MMS), and long-tail sustainment, training, and spare-parts services for the installed base. Go-to-market is exclusively direct-to-government through US military procurement (Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard), Foreign Military Sales (FMS) mechanisms, and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), with regional entities Insitu Pacific (Queensland, Australia, est. 2009) serving Asia-Pacific and an Oxford-based Autonomy Centre of Excellence supporting European customers. Pricing is determined through classified competitive bidding and FMS processes rather than open market pricing.
The customer base is concentrated across defense and government verticals — primarily NATO member armed forces, US military branches, and partner-nation coast guards — with named programs at the USCG (full National Security Cutter fleet deployment), US Navy/USMC (RQ-21A Blackjack), Royal Netherlands Army (SRTUAV program, jointly with Belgium and Luxembourg), Australian Army (LAND 129 Phase 3), and Armed Forces of Ukraine (ScanEagle operations since 2022). Boeing subsidiary status provides distribution scale, supply-chain security clearance, and FMS channel access, while NATO military type certifications (STANAG 4703, STANAG 4671) and 99% readiness rates create regulatory and reputational moats against new tactical UAS entrants.
Insitu firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Insitu
- Legal name
- Insitu, Inc.
- Website
- https://insitu.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Insitu, a wholly-owned Boeing subsidiary founded in 1994, designs and manufactures small tactical unmanned aerial systems (ScanEagle, Integrator, RQ-21A) for defense and government ISR customers across 35+ countries, supported by modular payloads, software, and sustainment services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Insitu industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Unmanned Aerial Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO), Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)
Keywords
Where Insitu is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bingen
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
Insitu business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- UAV Platform Sales: Direct sales of ScanEagle, Integrator, and RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aerial systems to government and defense customers. Platforms are sold as complete systems including air vehicles, ground control stations, launch/recovery equipment, and initial support packages.
- Payload and Sensor Sales: Modular sensor and payload systems including electro-optical turrets, SIGINT, EW, SAR, WAMI, maritime search, and kinetic munitions sold separately or as part of integrated solutions.
- Software Solutions: Command and control software including INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, Tungsten SDK, and Common Ground Control Stations sold as licenses or integrated solutions.
- Training and Support Services: Pilot and maintenance training, virtual training programs, and ongoing sustainment support for deployed systems. Includes remote and on-site instruction.
- Sustainment and Spare Parts: Ongoing logistics support, spare parts, and maintenance services for installed base of 3,500+ aircraft operating globally.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Insitu product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Insitu designs, manufactures, and supports runway-independent tactical unmanned aerial systems—primarily ScanEagle, Integrator, and RQ-21A Blackjack—for defense and government customers. The company also delivers a full suite of modular electro-optical, infrared, maritime, and SAR payloads plus command-and-control software (cGCS, INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, MMS, Tungsten SDK), and provides lifecycle training and sustainment services across 35+ countries.
Product overview
Insitu, a Boeing company, provides a comprehensive family of uncrewed aerial systems designed for defense and government customers worldwide. The product portfolio centers on three core UAV platforms—Integrator, ScanEagle, and RQ-21A Blackjack—all featuring runway independence and modular payload architectures. These platforms are supported by a full suite of command and control software including Common Ground Control Station (cGCS), INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, and Media Management Suite, plus the Tungsten SDK for third-party development. Insitu offers over 12 specialized payload types including electro-optical/infrared turrets (Alticam 14/06, EO960, EOIR5), maritime search sensors (PT-6 Smart Sensor with AI, WAMI, NSP-3/5), targeting systems (The Warden HSOR), and Dual Imager. The company has accumulated over 1.6 million operational flight hours across 35+ countries, with recent additions including PLEO SATCOM for beyond-line-of-sight control, laser targeting capabilities, and kinetic strike options for the Integrator platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Integrator Modular, runway-independent tactical uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) with 24+ hour endurance and up to 40 lb payload capacity across six payload bays. NATO Class 1 / DoD Group 3 designed for long-range, wide-area ISR from both ship decks and land.
- ScanEagle Lightweight, runway-independent tactical UAS with approximately 18-24 hour endurance, dual-video capabilities, encrypted command-and-control, and modular payload integration for maritime and land ISR missions.
- RQ-21A Blackjack Variant of the Integrator platform operated by US Navy, US Marine Corps, and international partners; provides tactical ISR with runway independence and a proven operational track record across shipboard and land environments.
- Alticam 14 Advanced telescope and targeting payload providing high-resolution optical capabilities for precision targeting and reconnaissance on Insitu UAS platforms.
- Alticam 06 Compact electro-optical turret payload providing day and night full-motion video for ISR missions on Insitu UAS platforms.
- EO960 Electro-optical sensor payload providing day/night imaging capabilities for maritime and land ISR missions on Insitu UAS platforms.
- EOIR5 Electro-optical/infrared payload combining visible and thermal imaging for round-the-clock surveillance operations on Insitu UAS platforms.
- Dual Imager Multi-sensor payload combining multiple imaging modalities for enhanced target detection and identification on Insitu UAS platforms.
- PT-6 Smart Sensor AI-powered wide-area maritime search payload developed with Overwatch Imaging. Automates detection of small targets across large ocean areas using computer vision and real-time edge processing.
- WAMI (Wide-Area Motion Imagery) Wide-area motion imagery sensor payload providing persistent surveillance over large geographic areas for Insitu UAS platforms.
- NSP-3 Naval surface patrol payload for maritime domain awareness and surface search operations on Insitu UAS platforms.
- NSP-5 Enhanced naval surface patrol payload with advanced maritime surveillance capabilities for Insitu UAS platforms.
- The Warden HSOR High-definition EO/IR sensor system payload providing precision targeting and reconnaissance capabilities on Insitu UAS platforms.
- Common Ground Control Station (cGCS) Standardized ground control station software and hardware enabling unified command and control across Insitu UAS platforms, simplifying operator training and mission execution.
- INEXA Control Command and control software solution for managing Insitu UAS operations and mission execution.
- TacitView Information processing software for converting aerial imagery into usable data for rapid sharing with response teams and incident commanders.
- Catalina Software for processing and managing aerial imagery and sensor data collected during Insitu UAS missions.
- Media Management Suite (MMS) Comprehensive media management solution for organizing, storing, and distributing UAS-collected imagery and video data.
- Tungsten SDK Software Development Kit enabling third-party developers to build applications and integrations for Insitu UAS platforms.
Quantifiable outcome
- ScanEagle directly contributed to seizure of more than $5 billion in illegal narcotics by USCG and partner agencies since deployment on National Security Cutter fleet
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Insitu
Customer profileNamed customers12 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Insitu technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature10 records
Insitu partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)coreMulti-function Radar ISR (MRaISR) project developing low SWaP Synthetic Aperture Radar for tactical UAVs. Successfully completed airborne demonstrations of SAR, GMTI, and ISAR modes over land and water in Netherlands. UAV flight demonstration completed October 2025 on Insitu Integrator platform.
- Antonov Company (Ukraine)coreStrategic partnership with Boeing to explore training, logistical support, and overhaul services for ScanEagle UAVs used by Ukrainian armed forces, potentially expanding into engineering activities for rapid technology integration.
- Corvid TechnologiescoreCollaboration on Shryke GPS-guided miniature precision munitions for Integrator UAS. Demonstrated delivery within 1-2 meters of target with safe separation sensor, fuze, and warhead.
- L3Harris TechnologiescoreProvided MIL-STD-1316 Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD) for safe munitions integration on Integrator, enabling recovery of aircraft with munitions still installed.
- Overwatch ImagingcoreCollaboration on PT-6 Smart Sensor with AI-powered Overwatch-AI software for wide-area maritime search. Automates detection of small targets in large search areas with real-time edge processing and geolocated image data.
- UBIQ AerospaceminorPartnership to optimize Insitu's Integrator UAS for challenging Arctic and High North environments with cold weather and ice protection technologies for Norway and NATO northern flank operations.
- Hood TechcoreCollaboration on FLARES (Flying Launch and Recovery System) for vertical take-off and landing of Integrator UAS. FLARES enables shipboard operations without stationary launch/recovery equipment, performing at half throttle with significant control authority for harsh maritime conditions.
- Australian Defence ForcecoreSupported Australian Defence Force requirements at Project Convergence 2022 to test Integrator UAS capabilities and advanced payload options, informing future growth path for Australia's LAND 129 Phase 3 project.
- GKN AerospacecorePartnership to develop advanced radar system for Integrator UAS, combining Insitu's platform expertise with GKN Aerospace's aerospace materials and systems capabilities.
- Boeing Defence AustraliacoreProvides Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and integration lessons learned through Currawong Battlespace Communications System. Boeing Australia R&D in autonomous systems being integrated into Insitu Pacific's future roadmap.
- Nova Systems AustraliacoreTeaming agreement as part of Insitu Pacific's Australian-industry-led proposal for LAND 129 Phase 3 to supply Integrator UAS to Australian Army. Nova Systems provides engineering and testing expertise for complex UAS delivery.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Insitu competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AeroVironment: AeroVironment is the dominant U.S. tactical small UAS manufacturer (Puma, Raven, Switchblade), competing head-to-head with Insitu's ScanEagle/Integrator for DoD and allied ISR programs in Group 2/3. Closest comparable on platform class, customer base, and GTM motion.
- Textron Systems: Textron Systems produces the Aerosonde family of runway-independent tactical UAS used by U.S. Navy and allied customers (Australia, UK). Closely comparable on platform class, shipboard launch/recovery, and maritime ISR mission profile.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Kratos fields the XQ-58A Valkyrie and MQM-178 Firejet, plus tactical UAS offerings that overlap with Insitu's runway-independent Group 3 segment. Competes for similar DoD tactical UAS and target drone programs.
- Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems manufactures the Hermes family of tactical UAS (Hermes 450, 900) and is a leading international tactical UAS supplier. Direct competitor in NATO and allied markets for ISR and tactical reconnaissance contracts.
Emerging players
- Anduril Industries: Anduril is a high-growth defense technology company fielding autonomous UAS (Ghost, Bolt, Roadrunner) and Lattice autonomy software directly into DoD and allied markets. A primary emerging competitor leveraging AI-native design and software-defined ISR.
- Shield AI: Shield AI builds the V-BAT VTOL tactical UAS and Hivemind autonomy stack. Directly comparable to Insitu's Integrator + cGCS + autonomy approach, and increasingly winning DoD programs of record over incumbent Group 3 platforms.
- Turkish Aerospace (Baykar): Baykar's Bayraktar TB2/Mini series has emerged as a credible tactical UAS competitor in Eastern Europe, MENA, and Africa. Represents emerging competition for allied ISR procurement in price-sensitive markets.
Broad incumbents
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems: General Atomics is the dominant U.S. MALE/HALE UAS manufacturer (MQ-9 Reaper, MQ-20 Avenger). Operates at higher altitude/longer endurance tier but competes for ISR and emerging tactical mission share.
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman produces Global Hawk and Fire Scout UAVs and provides broader defense ISR/aerospace systems. Competes for higher-altitude ISR and integrated mission system work adjacent to Insitu's tactical UAS offering.
- Lockheed Martin: Lockheed produces Stalker, Indago, and other small UAS as part of a broader rotary and missiles portfolio. Competitor in select DoD tactical UAS programs and integrated ISR/loitering munitions offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Insitu social profiles
Digital presenceInsitu financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Insitu leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Insitu subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Insitu funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Insitu 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 Insitu
What does Insitu do?
Insitu designs, manufactures, and supports runway-independent tactical unmanned aerial systems—primarily ScanEagle, Integrator, and RQ-21A Blackjack—for defense and government customers. The company also delivers a full suite of modular electro-optical, infrared, maritime, and SAR payloads plus command-and-control software (cGCS, INEXA Control, TacitView, Catalina, MMS, Tungsten SDK), and provides lifecycle training and sustainment services across 35+ countries.
Is Insitu a public or private company?
Insitu is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Insitu founded?
Insitu was founded in 1994. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Insitu based?
Insitu is headquartered in Bingen, United States, in the North America region.
How does Insitu make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. UAV Platform Sales are the primary driver. The others are payload and Sensor Sales, software Solutions, training and Support Services and sustainment and Spare Parts.
Who are Insitu's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AeroVironment, Textron Systems, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Elbit Systems. Emerging players are Anduril Industries, Shield AI and Turkish Aerospace (Baykar). Broad incumbents are General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin.
Does Insitu have an API?
No public API is recorded for Insitu.
What industry is Insitu in?
Insitu's product category is Unmanned Aerial Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAC, Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.