What Innovaero does

Innovaero is a 100% Australian-owned, Perth-headquartered aeronautical product design, certification, and manufacturing company founded circa 2010, employing 30+ staff at a purpose-built sovereign manufacturing facility in Kardinya, WA. The company operates across two product lines: a defence portfolio spanning uncrewed aerial systems and precision munitions — including the FOX Maritime UAS (8-metre wingspan, VTOL/CTOL, 11-hour endurance, 40 kg payload), the OWL/OWL-B one-way loitering munition family (Australia's first sovereign precision loitering munition, under Mission Talon Strike with the ADF), and the STRIX hybrid propulsion UAS co-developed with BAE Systems Australia — and a commercial aerial-camera-systems line including the Bigeye and Spookfish/Block 4 systems developed for Nearmap and EagleView. Its technology stack integrates multi-CAD design (PTC Creo, Altium, VeSys), CAE simulation (Ansys, Matlab/Simulink, xFlow, XFLR5), and in-house advanced manufacturing including filament winding, CNC machining, and composite layup, supported by CASA approvals (CASR 21J/21G/21K/21M/21E, CAR 30), AS9100D, DISP membership, and FAA 8110-3 authorisations enabling US exports under the bilateral aviation safety agreement. Subsidiaries include 5DSystems (UAS development) and Aviation Composites (composite manufacturing, acquired January 2021).

Name

Innovaero

Legal name

Innovaero Pty Ltd

Website

https://innov.aero

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Innovaero is a 100% Australian-owned aeronautical design, certification, and manufacturing firm developing sovereign defence systems (OWL-B loitering munitions, FOX and STRIX UAS) and commercial aerial camera systems for the ADF, Commonwealth, defence primes, and aerial survey clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Unmanned Aerial Systems and Defence Aerospace Manufacturing

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)

Keywords

• Unmanned aerial systems
• Loitering munitions
• Aeronautical manufacturing
• Precision strike drones
• Aerial imaging systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Perth

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Defence Platform and System Sales: Sale of proprietary defence platforms including OWL loitering munitions, FOX tactical UAS, and STRIX systems to the Australian Defence Force, Commonwealth of Australia, and international defence customers.
2. Strategic Defence R&D and Development Contracts: Funded development contracts with Commonwealth of Australia for sovereign defence capabilities, including Phase 3 development of OWL-B under Mission Talon Strike program. Creates long-term product and production revenue opportunity.
3. Aerial Camera System Product Sales: Design, certification, and manufacturing of aerial camera systems (Bigeye, Spookfish/EagleView Block 4) for commercial clients including Nearmap and EagleView Technologies, sold internationally including to US customers.
4. Aeronautical Product Certification and Engineering Services: End-to-end sovereign industrial capability including product design, certification, manufacturing, systems integration, and support services for aviation industry clients in Australia, United States, and Canada.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Innovaero is a 100% Australian-owned aeronautical product design, certification, and manufacturing company delivering end-to-end sovereign industrial capability across defence and commercial markets. The company designs, certifies, manufactures, and maintains uncrewed aerial systems including the OWL precision loitering munitions, FOX Maritime UAS, and STRIX hybrid propulsion platform, alongside commercial aerial camera systems for high-resolution imagery capture.

Product overview

Innovaero is a 100% Australian-owned aeronautical product design, certification, and manufacturing company offering end-to-end sovereign industrial capability. The company operates across two primary product lines: (1) Defence systems including the OWL-B precision loitering munition (Australia's first sovereign precision loitering munition), the Innovaero FOX Maritime UAS (VTOL/CTOL tactical UAS with 11-hour endurance), and the STRIX hybrid propulsion UAS developed with BAE Systems Australia; and (2) Commercial aeronautical products including the Bigeye and Spookfish aerial camera systems (now EagleView Australia) developed for Nearmap. The company holds multiple CASR Part 21 design, manufacturing, and maintenance approvals and provides comprehensive services spanning design, certification, manufacturing, and sustainment. The portfolio is supported by subsidiaries including Aviation Composites (composite manufacturing) and 5DSystems (UAS development).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• FOX: Maritime Unmanned Aerial System (MUAS) with VTOL and CTOL variants, designed for ISR and targeting capabilities
• OWL
• OWL-B
• STRIX
• Bigeye

Products and services

• OWL-B Precision Loitering Munition Australia's first sovereign precision loitering munition system designed to provide tactical advantage in various operational scenarios. The OWL-B is a one-way attack drone capable of flying directly to targets or circling overhead before striking. Progressing through certification with the Australian Defence Force under Mission Talon Strike program.
• Innovaero FOX Maritime UAS Maritime Unmanned Aerial System with 8-metre wingspan, 11-hour endurance, and 40 kg payload capacity. Available in VTOL and CTOL variants with 90% airframe commonality. Features low observability across acoustic, thermal, radar, and emissions signatures, open architecture, and modular redundant power plant. Designed for ISR and maritime applications. Developed by wholly-owned subsidiary 5DSystems.
• STRIX Hybrid Propulsion UAS Hybrid tandem wing, multi-domain and multi-role uncrewed aerial system developed in partnership with BAE Systems Australia. Capable of air-to-ground strike, persistent ISR, and loyal wingman missions for military helicopters. Combines hybrid VTOL capabilities with advanced autonomy.
• Bigeye Aerial Camera System Multi-award-winning aerial camera array system providing ultra-high resolution aerial imagery. Incorporates advanced bespoke optics and sensor packaging for wide coverage capture with stability at all altitudes. Manufactured under CASR Part 21K PMA approval and exported to US under Australia-US Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement.
• Spookfish Aerial Camera System Revolutionary aerial camera system capable of capturing ultra-high resolution imagery from altitudes far greater than other camera systems. Features bespoke optics, sensor packaging, and advanced structural design with minimal aerodynamic restriction for stability at all altitudes. Now known as EagleView Australia.
• EagleView Block 4 Camera System Enhanced generation of the Bigeye/Spookfish camera system delivered to EagleView Technologies in the US, operational and delivering improved resolution and image quality over Block 3 systems. Incorporates improved optics and new manufacturing processes.
• Aeronautical Product Design, Certification and Manufacturing Services End-to-end sovereign industrial capability including product design, certification, manufacturing, systems integration, and support services for aviation industry clients in Australia, United States, and Canada. Covers sheet metal, machined parts, composite layup (wet-preg, pre-preg, filament wound), electronic assemblies, electrical harnesses, and optical assemblies.

Quantifiable outcome

• OWL-B completed successful live fire tests overseen by Commonwealth agencies and Australian Army in 2023 and 2024, progressing toward ADF certification under Mission Talon Strike.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NIOAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Australian-owned munitions company NIOA and Innovaero formed a strategic partnership announced 16 April 2026 to develop and manufacture modular warheads and launch systems for loitering munitions. Collaboration combines Innovaero's aeronautical and UAS expertise with NIOA's energetic materials design and manufacturing capabilities. Program advances through staged design, qualification, and production phases under full Australian control, aiming to enhance strike capabilities for ADF and allied partners including New Zealand. Deal has no financial terms or timeline publicly disclosed.
• BAE Systems AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 October 2023BAE Systems Australia became a shareholder and JV partner of Innovaero in October 2023, opening a new chapter of growth. Joint venture enables Innovaero to maintain SME agility while leveraging BAE's global defence capabilities. Marcus Colman from BAE joined as Joint Managing Director. Collaboration covers STRIX hybrid propulsion UAS development and OWL systems. In December 2025, BAE returned full ownership to founder Mike von Bertouch and Aerovation, though companies continue strategic partnership with distribution agreement for OWL-B in markets outside Australia.
• Swinburne University of Technology (AIR Hub)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2023Partnership with Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub at Swinburne accesses AIR Pass program for prototyping, technical, financial, and promotional support. Collaboration drives development of next-generation aerostructures for various platforms including Defence projects. Goal is to scale and automate manufacturing of Innovaero's UAS platforms through investigation and development of feasible solutions for component manufacture and assembly procedures that optimise production cycle time and cost.
• Insitu Pacific (Boeing subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2023Insitu Pacific and Innovaero collaborating on integrated long-range strike capability using uncrewed aircraft systems, combining IPL's Integrator ISR platform with Innovaero's OWL-B loitering munition. Joint media release 16 October 2023. Companies developing, testing, and fielding the collaborative system using Insitu Pacific's common ground control station and INEXA software. MOA originally signed July 2021 to strengthen development of Australian UAS technology. Insitu Pacific, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Boeing Company, serves defence customers across Asia-Pacific.
• BAE Systems AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2023First collaborative venture in Australian marketplace on emerging UAS capabilities for Defence sector. BAE and Innovaero designing and launching the STRIX Unmanned Aerial System at Avalon 2023. STRIX is a hybrid tandem wing, multi-domain and multi-role UAS capability for ISR, air-to-ground strike, and loyal wingman missions. BAE Systems Australia CEO Ben Hudson: 'STRIX is a real testament to the culture that Mike has developed at Innovaero.'
• Amphibian Aerospace Industries (AAI)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 March 2022MOU signed to cooperate in establishing AAI's Darwin Albatross G-111T aircraft factory as one of the world's most advanced manufacturing facilities. Innovaero contributes to depth of engineering skills in Team Albatross for the G-111T program. AAI is establishing a new Darwin Aerospace Manufacturing Precinct at Darwin International Airport with AAI as first tenant. AAI CEO Dan Webster: 'Aircraft manufacturing demands an extremely broad range of very specialised technologies, and we are very fortunate that some of the world's most advanced providers like Innovaero are right here in Australia.'
• Aviation CompositescoreOthers · 22 January 2021Innovaero acquired Aviation Composites, adding it to the Innovaero Technologies Pty Ltd group of companies. Acquisition signed January 2021. Aviation Composites continues to operate as an independent business, providing additional design, manufacturing, and overhaul capability. Management changes to be completed within three months in accordance with relevant airworthiness regulations. Aviation Composites founder Lindsay Danes retired; acquisition enables expansion of in-house composite manufacturing.
• Momentum AeronauticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMomentum Aeronautics is a key element of the extended Innovaero team, providing full-service engineering consulting specialising in design and certification of aircraft and aircraft modifications. Based at Downtown St Paul Airport (KSTP) in Minnesota, USA. Collaborated with Innovaero in delivering complete end-to-end client experience to Eagleview Technologies, combining Australian design and certification with US modification and inspection approvals.
• Thomson DesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner located at Jandakot airport (YPJT) providing comprehensive design and certification services to clients locally in WA, across Australia, and in SE Asian region. Has lengthy track record in complex aircraft modifications for civilian and government clients.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AeroVironment: US-listed leader in tactical UAS and the Switchblade loitering munition family. Closest global comparable to OWL-B in product class, customer type (DoD/ally equivalents), and mission profile.
• SYPAQ Systems: Australian sovereign UAS and loitering munition developer (Corvo) supplying the ADF. Directly comparable to Innovaero as an Australian SME building precision loitering munitions for Mission Talon Strike-adjacent requirements.
• Anduril Industries: US defence technology company developing autonomous UAS (Roadrunner, Bolt) and loitering munitions for the US DoD and allies. Highly comparable to Innovaero's OWL/FOX/STRIX autonomy-led, software-defined platform strategy.
• Insitu Pacific: Boeing subsidiary and direct Innovaero integration partner on OWL/Integrator long-range strike. Comparable as a regional UAS ISR/strike integrator and a key GCS/software counterpart to OWL.
• DefendTex: Australian defence manufacturer of loitering munitions, artillery rockets, and UAS subsystems. Directly comparable as a domestic Australian SME pursuing sovereign guided-weapon and UAS capability.
• NIOA: Australian-owned munitions company and Innovaero's strategic partner on warhead/launch system development for OWL. Comparable as an Australian sovereign-munitions integrator partnered with Innovaero on loitering munition production.

Emerging players

• Shield AI: US autonomous UAS company focused on AI-pilot autonomy (Hivemind) for ISR and strike platforms. Comparable in autonomy and mission-management focus to OWL-B and STRIX.

Broad incumbents

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: US defence prime with a portfolio of tactical UAS and expendable/attritable platforms (XQ-58 Valkyrie, family of loitering systems). Comparable as a serial UAS and loitering-munition prime.
• BAE Systems Australia: Former JV partner and ongoing strategic collaborator on STRIX. Comparable as a large Australian defence prime that influences the sovereign UAS market and the channel to ADF procurement.
• Thales Australia: Australian arm of a global defence prime supplying UAS, sensors, and integrated systems to the ADF. Comparable as a sovereign-defence alternative for the same procurement budgets Innovaero targets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aero_innov

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Innovaero