FLY-R

What FLY-R does

FLY-R SAS, founded in 2013 in Saint-Paul, Réunion (France), designs and manufactures unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) based on a proprietary rhomboidal wing aerodynamic configuration protected by two international patents covering VTOL and variable geometry wing systems. The company operates from a 500+ m² R&D and production facility on the Cambaie Aeronautical Cluster with direct runway access, holding ISO 9001 and EN/AS/JISQ 9100 aerospace/defense certifications since 2019. Its product portfolio spans six core platforms organized by mission: R2-120 RAIJIN loitering munition, R2-150 and R2-240 surveillance/reconnaissance drones, R2-HSTD high-speed target drone, R2-400 mini-MALE, and R2-MALE 9m tactical MALE platform, plus a vacuum launcher and recovery net system enabling deployment from unprepared environments and naval vessels.

FLY-R's business model centers on direct enterprise sales to defense ministries, special forces, and government agencies, supplemented by strategic channel partnerships with defense primes. MBDA serves as the global export partner for the RAIJIN loitering munition, Duqueine Group provides industrial-scale composite manufacturing across five global sites, and Global Component Asia handles Southeast Asia regional channel. Revenue streams include hardware sales of complete UAV systems, engineering and consulting services for aerodynamic design and regulatory compliance, and operational services delivered through sister company Drone Service Océan Indien (DSOI SAS). Pricing is quote-based B2B/government with no public disclosure. Key customers include the French Navy, French Special Forces, DGA (which selected the R2-600 MALE UAV for development in June 2025), and UAE Armed Forces (via the MBDA-Tawazun co-development announced in 2025-2026).

The company's go-to-market relies heavily on participation in major defense exhibitions (Paris Air Show, SOFINS, IDEX, UMEX, Euronaval, LIMA, Dubai Airshow) and industry associations (Cercle de l'Arbalète, ADIF, FPDC). The company is privately held with fewer than 10 employees, co-founder-led with a board including former DGA Director Laurent Collet-Billon and former Airbus VP Philippe Delmas, and maintains a relatively concentrated customer base of government and defense organizations across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Name

FLY-R

Legal name

FLY-R SAS

Website

https://flyr-uas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

FLY-R is a privately held French drone manufacturer (founded 2013, Réunion) that designs rhomboidal-wing UAVs for defense and surveillance. It serves military and government customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia through direct sales and partnerships with MBDA, Duqueine Group, and Global Component Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH)

Keywords

• Military unmanned aerial vehicles
• Loitering munition drones
• Surveillance UAV systems
• Fixed-wing drones
• MALE UAV platforms

Headquarters

HQ city

Réunion

HQ country

Mauritius

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. UAV Hardware Sales: Sale of complete unmanned aircraft systems including R2-120 RAIJIN (loitering munition), R2-150, R2-240, R2-HSTD (target drone), R2-400, and R2-MALE platforms. One-time hardware purchases with varying configurations based on mission requirements.
2. Engineering and Consulting Services: Expertise in aerodynamic design, computational engineering, regulatory compliance, and safety standards for specific customer projects. Services adapted to specific client requirements.
3. Operational Services (via DSOI): Sister company Drone Service Océan Indien (DSOI) offers operational services using FLY-R systems including short to long-term contracts with human, technical, and operational resources deployment.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

FLY-R designs, develops and manufactures rhomboidal-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for defense, surveillance, reconnaissance and loitering munition applications. The company produces a portfolio of fixed-wing composite UAS platforms ranging from 1.2m to 9m wingspan (R2-120 RAIJIN, R2-150, R2-240, R2-HSTD, R2-400, R2-MALE, R2-600), supported by proprietary vacuum launcher and recovery net systems. It also sells engineering, computational and regulatory compliance consulting services tailored to defense customers.

Product overview

FLY-R develops six distinct fully autonomous rhomboidal wing UAV systems plus supporting infrastructure, organized by mission type and size. The portfolio includes the R2-120 RAIJIN loitering munition (1.2 m wingspan, electric), R2-150 and R2-240 surveillance drones (1.5-2.4 m, electric/hybrid), R2-HSTD target drone (2.4 m, turbine), R2-400 mini-MALE (4 m, hybrid), and R2-MALE tactical MALE (9 m, turboprop). All share the patented rhomboidal wing design offering reduced wingspan, aerodynamic efficiency, and structural strength. The R2-150 and R2-240 support coastal/maritime operations with unique launcher and recovery systems deployable from ships. A future Crystal CR-1200 hybrid aircraft extends rhomboidal technology toward commercial aviation. FLY-R also offers aerodynamic design, computational engineering, and regulatory compliance consulting services for specific customer projects.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• R2-120 RAIJIN Loitering munition UAV with patented rhomboidal foldable wing, automatic wing deployment from transport/launch tube, 95-270 km/h speed range, 50 km operational range, and precision strike capability against armored and unarmored targets. Designed for special forces and military precision strike missions.
• R2-150 Compact UAS designed for coastal and maritime surveillance with 1.5 m wingspan, electric propulsion, automatic takeoff/landing, and 50+ km LOS range for patrol missions.
• R2-240 UAS for surveillance, observation and reconnaissance with 2.4 m wingspan, hybrid propulsion, up to 10 hours endurance, and 60+ km LOS range carrying up to 8 kg payload.
• R2-HSTD High Speed Target Drone with turbine propulsion reaching Mach 0.65, designed for air defense and combat training exercises with up to 60 km LOS range.
• R2-400 Mini-MALE UAV with 4 m wingspan and hybrid propulsion for surveillance, intelligence, target acquisition and ground operations support, with 24+ hour endurance and 35 kg payload capacity.
• R2-MALE Medium Altitude Long Endurance system with 9 m wingspan, single turboprop engine, 600 kg payload capacity, 28-hour endurance, designed for ISTAR and precision attack missions from limited infrastructures including aircraft carriers.
• R2-600 MALE UAV Low-cost MALE UAV based on rhomboid-wing configuration, 1,700 kg MTOW, hybrid propulsion, more than 20 hours endurance, selected by the French DGA for development.
• Vacuum Launcher System Lightweight, transportable vacuum-powered launcher enabling automatic drone deployment from ground, vehicle, or ship without pyrotechnic systems. Supports R2-150 and other platforms.
• Recovery Net System Automatic recovery system allowing drone retrieval without pilot intervention, deployable in unprepared areas, with successful ground tests and naval validation in progress.
• Engineering and Consulting Services Expertise in aerodynamic design, computational engineering, regulatory compliance, and safety standards delivered as consulting engagements adapted to specific defense customer projects.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, regional and minor.

• MBDA SystemsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 November 2025Co-development partnership for Diamond Shape loitering munition derived from RAIJIN, signed at Eurosatory 2026. Intended for development and industrialization in UAE. Partnership announced at Dubai Airshow 2025 with Tawazun Council support. MBDA serves as GTM partner for export opportunities globally.
• Duqueine GroupcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 26 June 2023Manufacturing cooperation agreement signed at Paris Air Show 2023 for production of FLY-R drones and associated systems. Duqueine Group specializes in high-performance composite parts manufacturing for aerospace with 800+ employees across 5 global sites (France, Romania, Mexico).
• Global Component AsiaregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 24 May 2023Partnership agreement signed at LIMA 2023 for aerospace and defense markets in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. Includes joint marketing, joint development of special purpose UAVs, training, and MRO services.
• ONERA (Office National d'Études et de Recherches Aérospatiales)coreTechnology or Integration · 17 June 2019Partnership agreement signed at Paris Air Show 2019 to formalize cooperation for development of rhomboidal aircraft of various wingspans. ONERA is the French national aerospace research center providing scientific expertise and validation.
• Cercle de l'ArbalètecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDefense industry association under French Ministry of Armed Forces promoting innovative high-tech solutions for future special operations. FLY-R member participating in SOFINS exhibition organized by the association. Association connects innovative companies with military operational needs.
• DGAC (Direction Générale de l'Aviation Civile)coreOthersFrench Civil Aviation Authority overseeing compliance with EASA regulations. FLY-R maintains flight authorizations and certifications through DGAC/DSAC ensuring systems meet regulatory requirements for operational deployment.
• FPDC (Fédération Professionnelle du Drone Civil)minorOthersProfessional French Federation of Civilian Drones. FLY-R participates in regulatory evolution working groups for UAV manufacturing and civilian airspace operations.
• ADIF (Association du Drone de l'Industrie Française)minorOthersFrench drone industry association joined in May 2025 following member vote. FLY-R committed to actively contributing to association initiatives and discussions.
• DSOI SAS (Drone Service Océan Indien)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company providing operational services using FLY-R systems. Offers short to long-term contracts including deployment of human, technical, and operational resources in customer countries.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Parrot: French drone company with both consumer and defense micro-UAV lines (ANAFI USA for defense, Parrot Government Solutions). Comparable to FLY-R as a French-headquartered drone maker serving defense and security markets, though broader product portfolio including consumer.
• Thales Group: French defense prime with UAS programs and broad ISR portfolio, and a likely competitor or partner for French MALE UAV procurement. Comparable as a French aerospace/defence incumbent competing for the same DGA and French Navy programs that FLY-R serves.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics and UAS manufacturer with a portfolio including the THOR loitering munition and various tactical UAVs. Comparable to FLY-R as an established UAS competitor serving European and global defense customers, including loitering munition offerings that rival RAIJIN.
• AeroVironment: US-listed leader in small tactical UAS (Switchblade loitering munitions, Puma, Raven) for US and allied militaries. Comparable to FLY-R in loitering munition and tactical UAV product category, with the JUMP-series of Switchblade being the closest direct competitor to RAIJIN.

Emerging players

• Shield AI: US defense-tech company building autonomous tactical UAS (V-BAT) and AI pilot software for military applications. Comparable to FLY-R in autonomous fixed-wing UAV positioning and focus on Western defense customers, though at much larger scale and venture-backed.
• Anduril Industries: US defense-tech prime developing autonomous UAS (Roadrunner, Bolt) and integrated air-defense/ISR systems. Comparable as a fast-growing defense-tech competitor pursuing autonomous UAS procurements overlapping with FLY-R's loitering-munition and ISR missions.

Direct peers

• Delair: French fixed-wing UAV maker (DT26, DT46) focused on long-endurance ISR and defense applications. Comparable to FLY-R as a French-headquartered fixed-wing UAV competitor selling into defense and security markets with BVLOS-capable platforms.
• Tekever: Portuguese tactical UAV developer producing small fixed-wing ISR drones (e.g., AR3, AR4) for defense and security customers. Closely comparable to FLY-R in product class (small/medium tactical UAVs), target customer base (European military and homeland security), and business model of partnering with national primes for export.
• Quantum Systems: German manufacturer of small fixed-wing eVTOL/transition UAVs (Vector, Scorpion) for defense and ISR markets. Comparable to FLY-R in compact tactical UAV offering, focus on European military customers, and emphasis on rapid-deploy / portable systems.
• Novadem: French micro-UAV manufacturer (NX70, NX110) supplying French armed forces and homeland security. Comparable to FLY-R as a French small-UAV specialist competing for similar DGA, special forces, and security procurement budgets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 FLY-R