Novadem
Novadem SAS designs and manufactures professional micro- and mini-drones entirely in-house in Aix-en-Provence, France, serving defense, civil security, law enforcement, and industrial inspection clients. Its NX70 is the standardized micro-drone of the French Army with 700+ units deployed, complemented by the NX160 multi-mission platform and CBRN/sensor integrations with tier-1 European defense primes.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersAix-en-provence, France
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Novadem does
Novadem SAS is a French designer and manufacturer of professional micro- and mini-drones (UAVs), founded in 2006 in Aix-en-Provence by Pascal Zunino, Eric Zunino, and Fabien Paganucci. The company develops, manufactures, assembles, and maintains its aerial robotics systems entirely in-house, covering mechanics, electronics, embedded software, and ergonomics at its Arbois Technopole facility. Its product family comprises the NX70 (a 1 kg multi-role micro-drone for ISR and reconnaissance), the NX100 (tethered continuous-surveillance variant), the NX160 (a 2 kg multi-mission mini-UAV with interchangeable pod payloads including CBRN sensors), and the U130 (industrial inspection and mapping drone), supported by add-on modules such as the NXWIRE tethered power station, NXDROP payload delivery system, NCAM160 turret, and the HTK counter-UAS interceptor developed with MBDA. Proprietary technical differentiators include the Local Positioning System (LPS) enabling GPS-denied automated inspection, encrypted military data links with no onboard storage, modular payload architecture, and 'Made in France' full-stack manufacturing.
The company sells exclusively to professional and government customers, with no consumer channel. Go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales, public procurement (UGAP in France), defense trade show demonstration (MILIPOL, Eurosatory, SOFINS, DEFEA), and R&D co-development with tier-1 defense integrators (MBDA, Thales, Safran). The customer base is anchored by the French Ministry of Armed Forces (700+ NX70 deployed in the French Army as of late 2025) and the DGA procurement agency, with additional users across civil security (SDIS 13, BMPM), law enforcement (Gendarmerie Nationale, Brussels and Vaud police), infrastructure inspection (RTE France, SETEC/DIADES, SPIE Batignolles), and international military deployments (G5 Sahel Joint Force, Belgian and Cypriot forces). Revenue mechanics combine hardware sales (each system typically bundled as two drones with ground control station, spare parts, and accessories), recurring MCO (maintenance in operational condition) services, operator and trainer training programs, and R&D collaboration revenue from EU-funded programs (LynkEUs €6.33M, MarsEUs €25M). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contracts are multi-year and awarded via direct quotation and government tenders.
Novadem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Novadem
- Legal name
- Novadem SAS
- Website
- https://novadem.online
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Novadem SAS designs and manufactures professional micro- and mini-drones entirely in-house in Aix-en-Provence, France, serving defense, civil security, law enforcement, and industrial inspection clients. Its NX70 is the standardized micro-drone of the French Army with 700+ units deployed, complemented by the NX160 multi-mission platform and CBRN/sensor integrations with tier-1 European defense primes.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Novadem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (Defense Micro-Drones)
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- 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), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)
Keywords
Where Novadem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Aix-en-provence
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Novadem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Drone Hardware Sales: Sale of micro-drone systems (NX70, NX100, NX160, U130) with associated equipment including ground control stations, spare parts, and accessories. Each system typically includes two drones. Recurring revenue from fleet expansion and modernization.
- Maintenance and Support Services: MCO (Maintien en Condition Opérationnelle) services providing ongoing maintenance, technical support, hotline, updates, and spare parts management for existing customer fleets.
- Training Services: Operator training (theoretical and practical) and trainer training programs to enable customers to become autonomous in drone operations and maintenance.
- R&D Collaboration Services: Custom development and R&D partnership projects with major defense integrators (MBDA, Thales, Safran) for specialized drone integrations and capabilities.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Custom enterprise/government pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Novadem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Novadem designs, manufactures, and sells professional micro-drone (UAV) systems and related accessories for defense, civil security, and industrial inspection markets. Its products include the NX70 micro-drone for dismounted infantry ISR, the NX100 tethered variant for continuous surveillance, the NX160 multi-mission mini-UAV with interchangeable payload pods, and the U130 for industrial inspection and topographic mapping. The company handles complete in-house development of mechanics, electronics, software, and ergonomics at its Aix-en-Provence facility.
Product overview
Novadem offers a comprehensive portfolio of aerial robotics solutions comprising three main drone families: the NX series (NX70, NX100, NX160) and the U130. The NX70 is a 1kg multi-role micro-drone serving as the core defense product with over 700 units deployed in the French Army, offering day/night reconnaissance, encrypted communications, and rapid deployment. The NX100 extends continuous surveillance capability through tethered power systems. The NX160 is a larger 2kg-payload mini-UAV with interchangeable mission pods supporting chemical/radiological detection and advanced EO/IR turrets. The U130 serves industrial inspection and mapping markets. Supporting these are add-on modules including NXWIRE cable power stations, NXDROP payload delivery systems, and NCAM160 advanced turrets. The company develops complete solutions combining hardware and software with in-house expertise in mechanics, electronics, computing, and ergonomics, all manufactured in France.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NX70 Micro-Drone A ~1 kg multi-role micro-drone providing day/night ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities for defense forces. Features 45-minute endurance, 5 km operational radius, encrypted military data links, operation in wind up to 65 km/h and rain, and deployment in under one minute. Over 700 units deployed in the French Army.
- NX100 Tethered Drone System A drone solution dedicated to continuous surveillance missions using the NXWIRE cable power supply, providing uninterrupted flight without battery limitations and powerful zoom for detailed observation. Designed for civil security, public safety, and private security operators.
- NX160 Multi-Mission Mini-UAV A larger multi-mission mini-UAV capable of carrying payloads up to 2 kg via interchangeable 'pods mission' modules. Supports specialized sensors for chemical (Proengin AP4C+), radiological (Mirion) detection, and advanced EO/IR reconnaissance via the NCAM160 turret. Used for BLOS missile targeting, CBRN threat detection, and security missions.
- U130 Industrial Inspection Drone
Quantifiable outcome
- Divided inspection time by 4 and reduced costs compared to traditional airborne inspection methods for viaduct inspection
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Novadem
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Novadem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
AI capability5 records
Feature6 records
Novadem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and key.
- ThalescoreIntegration of NX70 and NX160 drones with Thales C2 spy'C command and control system. Also integration with U2MS and CDP systems for armored vehicle combat environments at Eurosatory 2024.
- MBDAcoreLead partner in MarsEUs (€25M EU-funded) and LynkEUs (€6.33M EDIDP) projects. MBDA selected NX70 for Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) missile targeting capability with MMP and AKERON missiles. Long-term strategic collaboration on integrating drone designation with missile systems.
- SafrancoreProject JUPITER under CENTURION programme with Safran and Scalian, integrating NX70 into Scorpion combat information system (SICS Débarqué) for dismounted infantrymen.
- ArquuscoreFrench industrial partner in MarsEUs project alongside MBDA, Delair, and Atos, contributing land vehicle systems to European collaborative combat architecture.
- AtoscoreFrench technology partner in MarsEUs project contributing to European collaborative combat and BLOS capabilities.
- DelairkeyCo-exhibiting at MILIPOL, DEFEA and within EDEN cluster pavilion. Partner for complementary fixed-wing drone solutions, offering complete range from rotary to fixed-wing platforms.
- ElistairkeyCo-exhibiting at MILIPOL within EDEN cluster. Partner for tethered drone solutions enabling continuous surveillance, complementary to Novadem's portable systems.
- Mirion TechnologieskeyIntegration of Mirion radiation meter with NX160 for radiological threat detection, demonstrated at Fontevraud NRBC symposium 2023.
- ProenginkeyTechnology partnership integrating AP4C+ chemical detector on NX160 for CBRN threat detection. Joint demonstration at MILIPOL 2021 and Fontevraud NRBC symposium 2023.
- Safran (originally Sagem)keyPhoenix II programme integration of NX110 drone into FELIN soldier system messaging, demonstrating early strategic partnership in soldier system integration.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Novadem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elistair: French tethered-drone specialist partnering with Novadem in the EDEN cluster; competes and complements Novadem in the persistent surveillance niche — relevant peer for NX100/NXWIRE product positioning.
- Delair: French fixed-wing and tactical drone manufacturer co-exhibiting with Novadem at MILIPOL/DEFEA and partnering within the EDEN cluster; offers complementary long-endurance platforms that bundle with Novadem's rotary-wing solutions in defense proposals.
- Aeraccess: French micro/mini-UAV specialist also serving defense and security customers; competes head-to-head with Novadem in the same Group 1 micro-drone procurement competitions for the French MoD and security forces.
Emerging players
- Skydio: US autonomous drone maker with a growing defense/public-safety vertical; competes for similar small-UAS autonomous reconnaissance budgets among Western security forces, particularly in inspection and short-range ISR use cases.
- Shield AI: US-based defense autonomy and UAS company building AI-pilot micro-tactical drones (e.g., V-BAT family) for Western militaries; analogous in mission but operating at a larger scale and with greater capital — a relevant emerging global peer shaping Western defense UAS adoption curves.
- Tekever: European (Portuguese) dual-use UAS company focused on maritime, border, and defense ISR; a comparable emerging player building a similar European defense customer base and competing for EU EDF funding programs.
Broad incumbents
- Thales: Major French defense prime that both partners with Novadem (C2 spy'C, U²MS, CDP integrations) and competes across broader UAS and ISR portfolios — a key strategic counterpart whose decisions shape Novadem's market access.
- Parrot: French-listed drone company with a defense/security arm (Parrot Drones for Government) offering micro-UAS, often in similar French and European defense tenders; a much larger incumbent competing for the same procurement budgets.
- MBDA: European missile consortium and lead partner in MarsEUs/LynkEUs — integrates Novadem's NX70/NX160 into MMP and AKERON BLOS kill chains and co-develops the HTK counter-drone interceptor; a strategic partner whose roadmap directly drives Novadem's product evolution.
- Safran: French defense prime collaborating with Novadem via the JUPITER/CENTURION and PHOENIX II programs to embed NX drones into FELIN and Scorpion soldier systems; an incumbent partner/competitor with deep influence over dismounted-soldier architecture.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Novadem social profiles
Digital presenceNovadem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Novadem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Novadem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Novadem 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 Novadem
What does Novadem do?
Novadem designs, manufactures, and sells professional micro-drone (UAV) systems and related accessories for defense, civil security, and industrial inspection markets. Its products include the NX70 micro-drone for dismounted infantry ISR, the NX100 tethered variant for continuous surveillance, the NX160 multi-mission mini-UAV with interchangeable payload pods, and the U130 for industrial inspection and topographic mapping. The company handles complete in-house development of mechanics, electronics, software, and ergonomics at its Aix-en-Provence facility.
Is Novadem a public or private company?
Novadem is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Novadem founded?
Novadem was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Novadem based?
Novadem is headquartered in Aix-en-provence, France, in the Europe region.
How does Novadem make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Drone Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are maintenance and Support Services, training Services and R&D Collaboration Services.
Who are Novadem's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elistair, Delair and Aeraccess. Emerging players are Skydio, Shield AI and Tekever. Broad incumbents are Thales, Parrot, MBDA and Safran.
Does Novadem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Novadem.
What industry is Novadem in?
Novadem's product category is Unmanned Aerial Systems (Defense Micro-Drones). 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.