What Hexadrone does

Hexadrone SAS is a French designer and manufacturer of modular professional drone platforms, founded in 2014 by Alexandre Labesse and headquartered in Saint-Ferréol-d'Auroure, Haute-Loire. The company originated as an online drone component retailer before pivoting into custom drone assembly and then full manufacturing, launching the original TUNDRA in 2018 (winner of a Red Dot Award) and unveiling the TUNDRA 2 in April 2023. Its product range centers on the TUNDRA 2, a multi-rotor modular platform featuring proprietary TR-LOCK and TR-MODULE interface standards that enable plug-and-play integration of over 100 third-party payloads with automatic on-drone recognition and parameter configuration in under three minutes.

The TUNDRA 2 is built around a Cube Orange+ flight controller running the open-source ArduPilot firmware, dual-band multi-constellation RTK GNSS with active anti-jamming, an H16 Pro SDR-based HD video link, and an onboard computer for payload awareness. Three interchangeable arm sets (Urban 3 kg, Endurance 5 kg, XL 6 kg) allow a single airframe to address payload capacities from 3 to 6 kg and endurance from 25 to 60 minutes, while IP54-rated construction and mechanical parts rated for 50,000 cycles support deployment in harsh environments. The platform holds the UAF (Utilisé par les Armées Françaises) label from the French Ministry of Defence and is undergoing C5 and C6 European type examinations with NavCert GmbH. Production occurs at a 1,000 m² factory sized for up to 1,000 units per year, with adjacent flight testing, a Fab Lab, an environmental/vibration/IP testing laboratory, and a paint booth and photo studio on-site.

Revenue is generated from TUNDRA 2 hardware sales, TR-LOCK/TR-MODULE accessories and intelligent batteries, a multi-brand e-commerce store offering roughly 3,500 OEM references, three-tier pilot and maintenance training (Level 1/2/3), maintenance and reparameterization services with a 10-year spare parts guarantee, and a mechatronics engineering bureau providing feasibility studies, 3D CAD, RDM analysis, PCB development, and ArduPilot customization for partner integrations. Approximately 80% of revenue comes from French and European defense customers, with the remainder across geospatial surveying, precision agriculture, and civil security/rescue applications. Distribution combines direct e-commerce, factory pickup, an exclusive Nordic distributor (Scandinavian Drone), and a network of approximately ten European specialized resellers with training and maintenance capabilities.

Name

Hexadrone

Legal name

Hexadrone SAS

Website

https://hexadrone.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hexadrone SAS is a French designer and manufacturer of modular professional drones, centered on the TUNDRA 2 multi-rotor platform. Its proprietary TR-LOCK and TR-MODULE standards enable plug-and-play integration of over 100 third-party payloads, serving primarily French and European defense, geospatial, agricultural, and civil security customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional modular drone systems

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)

akta.pro secondary industry

UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)

Keywords

• Modular drone platforms
• Professional drone manufacturing
• Defense UAV systems
• Drone payload integration
• Unmanned aerial systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint-ferreol-d'auroure

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Drone Hardware Sales: Sale of Tundra 2 drone platforms and accessories (batteries, backpacks, handles, propellers, parachutes). Revenue model centered on hardware product sales, with 80% of revenue generated from French and European defense sector customers.
2. Payload and Accessory Sales: Sale of TR-LOCK adapters, TR-MODULEs, intelligent batteries, backpacks, handles, propellers, and parachute systems for the Tundra 2 ecosystem.
3. Multi-Brand Online Store: Operation of an e-commerce platform offering approximately 3,500 OEM references of drone components, multi-brand drones, and accessories. This complements the manufacturing business.
4. Training Services: Pilot training, maintenance training (Level 1/2/3), and integration training for third-party integrators. Training courses are provided to customers as part of the Tundra 2 adoption lifecycle.
5. Maintenance Services: Three-tier maintenance offering: Level 1 (user maintenance), Level 2 (mechanical/electronic repairs), Level 3 (critical component replacement and full reparameterization at Hexadrone facilities).
6. Engineering Bureau / R&D Services: Mechatronics engineering services including feasibility studies, 3D CAD modeling, mechanical resistance analysis (RDM), hardware development (PCBs, wiring), and ArduPilot software adaptation. Custom integration projects and new TR-LOCK development for partners.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Hexadrone designs, manufactures, and sells the TUNDRA 2 modular multi-rotor drone platform — a Made-in-France UAV whose interchangeable arms (Urban/Endurance/XL) and proprietary TR-LOCK/TR-MODULE interfaces enable plug-and-play integration of over 100 third-party payloads (LiDAR, photogrammetry, thermal, SIGINT, agricultural) in under three minutes. The company also manufactures the RedBACK FPV cinelifter drone, retails multi-brand drone components through an online store, and provides engineering bureau, pilot training, and three-tier maintenance services around its platforms.

Product overview

Hexadrone is a French designer and manufacturer of modular professional drone platforms centered on the TUNDRA 2 multi-rotor system. The TUNDRA 2 serves as a modular tool-carrier platform with a core body and interchangeable arms (Urban, Endurance, XL) allowing 3-6 kg payload capacity customization. The ecosystem uses proprietary TR-LOCK (payload adapters) and TR-MODULE (lateral function extensions) interfaces enabling over 100 compatible third-party payloads to be swapped in under 3 minutes. Applications span defense, civil security, precision agriculture, topography, photogrammetry, and inspection. Beyond the TUNDRA 2, Hexadrone produces the RedBACK FPV cinelifter drone and offers engineering, training, and maintenance services. The company operates a 1,000 m² factory in Saint-Ferréol-d'Auroure with in-house testing laboratories (climatic, vibration, IP, mechanical resistance). The company also operates an e-commerce store with approximately 3,500 OEM component references.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• TUNDRA: Modular drone platform brand, including TUNDRA (first generation) and TUNDRA 2 (current generation).
• RedBACK

Products and services

• TUNDRA 2 modular drone platform Modular multi-rotor drone platform with 3-6 kg payload capacity depending on arm configuration, IP54-rated, deployable in under 3 minutes, designed for defense, surveillance, agriculture, mapping, photogrammetry, and inspection applications.
• RedBACK FPV cinelifter drone FPV cinelifter drone developed in collaboration with Stéphane Couchoud, capable of automatic flight plans, speeds up to 200 km/h, and adapted for dynamic aerial filming in audiovisual applications.
• TR-LOCK payload interface system Hexadrone's proprietary universal mechanical and electronic interconnection standard with 11+ adapter plates enabling plug-and-play integration of more than 100 compatible third-party payloads to the TUNDRA 2, with automatic payload recognition and parameter configuration.
• TR-MODULE expansion system Lateral interface modules adding functions to the TUNDRA 2 flight controller via four piston-contact interfaces, supporting navigation cameras, GNSS solutions, terrain-following lasers, and emergency parachutes via plug-and-play integration.
• TUNDRA 2 arm configurations (Urban, Endurance, XL) Interchangeable arm kits for the TUNDRA 2 enabling payload capacity customization: Urban (3 kg max, 35 min empty/25 min full), Endurance (5 kg max, 60 min empty/30 min full), and XL (6 kg max) configurations.
• Bureau d'études (Engineering services) In-house engineering services covering mechanical, electronic, AI, and software development including UX/design, 3D CAD modeling, materials resistance analysis (RDM), hardware/PCB development, and ArduPilot firmware adaptation, plus custom TR-LOCK integrations for partners.
• Training services Pilot training, maintenance qualification (Level 1/2), and integrator training covering module and payload integration around the TUNDRA 2 ecosystem for customers and partner resellers.
• Maintenance services Three-tier maintenance support for the TUNDRA 2: Level 1 user maintenance, Level 2 mechanical/electronic repairs, and Level 3 critical component replacement with full reparameterization at Hexadrone's facility, with 10-year spare parts availability guaranteed.

Quantifiable outcome

• 60 minutes flight time (Endurance arm, no payload)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Atos Group / EvidencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 June 2026Hexadrone partnered with Atos Group's Eviden division to integrate Avantix combat-proven SIGINT/ROEM (Signals Intelligence / Radioelectronic Intelligence) payloads into the Tundra 2 tactical mini drone platform. The collaboration combines Eviden's ROEM payloads with Hexadrone's modular drone using a 'plug and flight' architecture to deliver sovereign, scalable ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) solutions for French and European armed forces. This addresses the growing need for adaptable drone platforms capable of electronic warfare missions in rapidly evolving threat environments.
• Scandinavian DronecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 September 2023Scandinavian Drone is the exclusive reseller and distributor of the Tundra 2 for Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Norway. Martin Andersson and his team are responsible for sales, demonstration, and after-sales support in the Nordic region. The partnership aligns with Hexadrone's strategy to expand internationally through specialized regional distributors.
• CIRLYcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIRLY, based in Brignais (69), is Hexadrone's specialist French partner for rapid PCB manufacturing (prototypes and small series) with lead times as short as 24 hours for single and double-sided boards. Hexadrone sources nearly all structural parts of the Tundra from French manufacturers, with CIRLY providing the electronic circuit boards. Maxime Frachon from CIRLY is credited as a long-term contributor to Hexadrone's success.
• Fischer ConnectorscoreTechnology or IntegrationFischer Connectors, a Swiss company, is Hexadrone's partner for high-reliability connector solutions. Given the Tundra's operation in demanding environments, connector quality and durability are critical. Fischer Connectors has been contributing to Hexadrone's development for many years, with Guy Lacroix and Olivier Laville from the company supporting Hexadrone's growth.
• Rapid Manuf (Valla S.A.S)coreTechnology or IntegrationValla S.A.S (Rapid Manuf) handles the creation of molds and injection molding of technical plastic parts for the Tundra at their facility in Villeurbanne. This partnership supports Hexadrone's commitment to Made in France sourcing with regional Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes partners.
• NavCert GmbHcoreTechnology or IntegrationNavCert GmbH (Notified Body NB 2603) is Hexadrone's designated notified body for conducting C5 and C6 type examinations of the Tundra 2 under EU Regulation 2019/945. NavCert chairs the EU coordination group of notified bodies for unmanned aircraft systems and is one of only three entities in Europe authorized to perform C5/C6 conformity tests. Marcel Visser, NavCert CEO, personally congratulated Hexadrone on being the first to validate both multicopter C5 and C6 drone specification compliance.
• Dassault Systèmes / VisiativcoreTechnology or IntegrationHexadrone uses Dassault Systèmes' 3DEXPERIENCE platform (including SOLIDWORKS) for 3D CAD modeling, technical drawings, finite element analysis (RDM), and product lifecycle/versioning management. Visiativ has been supporting Hexadrone for over a year in implementing this new tool, improving design efficiency for the Tundra 2, new TR-LOCK adapters, and integration projects.
• European Defence SectorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNearly 80% of Hexadrone's revenue comes from French and European defence sector customers. The company is aligned with European industrial and regulatory standards (C5/C6 certification) and serves the French defence market with sovereign manufacturing capabilities, targeting broader European defence customers through the Atos/Eviden partnership and international reseller network.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• senseFly (Parrot): Swiss mapping-drone manufacturer and Parrot subsidiary producing fixed-wing eBee platforms for surveying and geospatial customers across Europe and globally. Comparable as a professional mapping/inspection UAS vendor, with overlap to Hexadrone's geospatial/surveying segment but minimal defense overlap.

Direct peers

• Delair: French professional UAS maker specializing in long-endurance fixed-wing and quad platforms for surveying, defense, and industrial inspection. Comparable as a France-based B2B drone OEM addressing overlapping professional/defense use cases including geospatial surveying and security.
• Parrot SA: French drone manufacturer headquartered in Paris with ANAFI professional and defense UAS product lines targeting the same European security, mapping, and inspection customers as Hexadrone. Directly comparable as a France-based professional UAS OEM competing for similar mission profiles.
• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics company producing modular mini-UAS such as THOR and ReX for ISR and tactical missions across multiple global defense customers. Comparable as a defense-focused modular UAS OEM integrating multiple payload types for military forces.
• Schiebel: Austrian UAV manufacturer best known for the Camcopter S-100 vertical takeoff system used in military ISR, civil security, and maritime surveillance. Comparable as a European-based professional tactical UAS OEM serving defense and security operators with rotary-wing platforms.
• Survey Copter (Airbus): Airbus-owned French UAS manufacturer producing tactical mini-UAV systems (DT26, Aliaca) used by French and allied armed forces. Highly comparable as a France-based defense drone OEM competing directly with the TUNDRA 2 in the French MoD tactical unmanned systems market.
• AeroVironment: US-based manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems (Switchblade, Puma, Quantix) primarily for defense and security customers. Comparable as a small tactical UAS provider for military and security operators, though with a heavier loitering-munition focus than Hexadrone's tool-carrier approach.

Others

• YellowScan: France-based LiDAR payload maker and direct integration partner of Hexadrone's TUNDRA 2 platform via TR-LOCK. Comparable as a participant in Hexadrone's payload ecosystem rather than a direct competitor; useful for understanding the geospatial UAS integration value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Thales Group: Large French defense and aerospace prime with broader portfolio including UAS systems, airborne ISR, EW, and SIGINT capabilities through subsidiaries like Thales DMS. Comparable as a French defense ecosystem participant that can supply competing UAS payloads and integrated solutions and is also a referenced partner domain for Hexadrone.
• Insitu (Boeing): Boeing subsidiary producing small tactical UAS (ScanEagle, Integrator) for military and commercial customers. Comparable as a small tactical UAS OEM in the broader defense ecosystem, though primarily US-aligned and at a substantially larger corporate scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UClmE_GOQ8BpAgushnTibk6Q/videos?app=desktop
• Facebookfacebook.com/hexadrone
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hexadrone
• Instagraminstagram.com/hexadrone.fr
• Xx.com/hexadrone

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Hexadrone