Clogworks Technologies
Akhter-Clogworks Technologies is a UK-based manufacturer of NDAA-compliant, carbon-fiber UAVs (Dark Matter brand) for surveying, defense, security, humanitarian and inspection customers, combining in-house composites manufacturing with a modular, payload-agnostic platform and global direct sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersHolmfirth, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Clogworks Technologies does
Clogworks Technologies is a UK-based manufacturer of precision-engineered carbon-fiber unmanned aerial vehicles sold under the Dark Matter brand. Founded in 2014 in Yorkshire by Peter and Laurence Opdam, the company designs and builds its airframes in-house using CNC machining, 3D printing and proprietary composites processes, with a stated emphasis on NDAA-compliant, Chinese-component-free supply chains for sensitive government and defense buyers. Its product range spans the Dark Matter hX heavy-lift hexacopter, the qD quadcopter, the Star foldable UAV with an onboard AI video-monitoring module, and the DM250, currently in development. The platforms are modular and payload-agnostic, validated through a curated partner ecosystem that includes GeoCue, RIEGL, YellowScan, Sentera, Phase One, Sony, Everdrone, CRFS and Sky-Hero, supporting use cases from LiDAR surveying and multispectral inspection to security, emergency response, humanitarian logistics and defense.
The company operates a hardware-led, project-based business model. Revenue is generated primarily through direct sales of airframes, supplemented by custom integration services, training programs and after-sales support; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Customers are distributed across surveying, security, delivery, energy, government/defense and humanitarian segments, with named deployments including Cubic Defence UK, the UN World Food Programme, the NHS, KSS Air Ambulance, Everdrone, InnovateUK and GeoCue. The go-to-market is sales-led with global shipping and a focus on enterprise and government procurement.
In 2025, Clogworks combined with Akhter Computers Ltd to form Akhter-Clogworks Technologies and relocated to larger manufacturing premises, signalling an inflection in scale. The company remains small (1–10 employees reported) but is actively recruiting UAV and composites technicians and investing in R&D, including the InnovateUK-funded HS3 tunnel-inspection autonomy project with the University of Hertfordshire. Its defensibility rests on vertically integrated carbon-fiber manufacturing, regulatory alignment with Western defense procurement standards, and a deepening payload-integration moat rather than on software or AI differentiation.
Clogworks Technologies firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Clogworks Technologies
- Legal name
- Akhter-Clogworks Technologies Limited
- Website
- https://clogworks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Akhter-Clogworks Technologies is a UK-based manufacturer of NDAA-compliant, carbon-fiber UAVs (Dark Matter brand) for surveying, defense, security, humanitarian and inspection customers, combining in-house composites manufacturing with a modular, payload-agnostic platform and global direct sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Clogworks Technologies industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Commercial UAV Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA)
Keywords
Where Clogworks Technologies is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Holmfirth
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Clogworks Technologies business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- UAV Hardware Sales: Sale of Dark Matter drone platforms including COTS (commercially-off-the-shelf) and custom configurations. Platforms include hexacopters (hX Gen 2/3) and quadcopters (qD Gen 2/3, Star, DM250). Both standard and NDAA-compliant versions available.
- Custom Integration & Payload Solutions: Custom integration of payloads, sensors, and accessories including LiDAR scanners (RIEGL, YellowScan, GeoCue), thermal cameras (Workswell, Sentera), gimbals (Gremsy, Viewpro), and specialty sensors. Also includes custom payload manufacturing.
- Training Services: Manufacturer training programs including standard 1-day training for 2 people, extensive 5-day training programs, and specific tactical/operational courses. Training conducted at Clogworks premises or customer site.
- After-Sales Support & Maintenance: Spares, replacement parts, upgrades, flight log analysis, service and maintenance level agreements. In-house capabilities for maintenance, repairs, and fleet upgrades.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dark Matter qD Gen 2 - COTS |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dark Matter hX Gen 2 - COTS |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dark Matter qD Gen 2 - NDAA compliant |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dark Matter hX Gen 2 - NDAA compliant |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dark Matter qD Gen 2 - Custom made |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dark Matter hX Gen 2 - Custom made |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Clogworks Technologies product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Clogworks Technologies (Akhter-Clogworks Technologies Limited) designs, engineers, and manufactures precision-engineered carbon fibre multirotor UAVs (hexacopters and quadcopters) under the Dark Matter brand for professional and industrial applications including surveying, security, surveillance, and drone delivery. The company produces both COTS (commercially-off-the-shelf) and custom-configured platforms with NDAA-compliant options, and integrates third-party payloads such as LiDAR scanners, thermal cameras, multispectral sensors, and gimbals.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Dark Matter: The company's primary brand of precision engineered UAVs, featuring modular design, carbon fibre airframes, and advanced flight capabilities for professional applications.
Products and services
- Dark Matter hX Gen 3 Hexacopter Modular carbon fibre hexacopter UAV for professional applications including surveying, inspection, security, and delivery. Supports LiDAR, photogrammetry, multispectral, and thermal payloads, with up to 12 kg payload capacity and 84 minutes flight time.
- Dark Matter qD Gen 3 Quadcopter Modular carbon fibre quadcopter UAV for professional applications including surveying, inspection, security, and delivery. Supports LiDAR, photogrammetry, multispectral, and thermal payloads, with up to 8 kg payload capacity and 84 minutes flight time.
- Dark Matter Star Foldable Quadcopter Foldable quadcopter UAV designed for intelligence gathering with onboard AI for continuous video monitoring. Supports EO/IR/dual sensor cameras and provides up to 88 minutes flight time with up to 6 kg payload capacity.
- Dark Matter hX Gen 2 Hexacopter Second-generation modular carbon fibre hexacopter UAV with Cube autopilot, dual GPS, triple redundant IMUs, RTK readiness, and NDAA-compliant option. Up to 59 minutes flight time and 6 kg payload.
- Dark Matter qD Gen 2 Quadcopter Second-generation modular carbon fibre quadcopter UAV with Cube autopilot, dual GPS, triple redundant IMUs, RTK readiness, and NDAA-compliant option. Up to 55 minutes flight time and 3 kg payload.
- Manufacturer Training Programs Manufacturer training services covering standard 1-day training for 2 people, extensive 5-day training programs, and specific tactical/operational courses. Training conducted at Clogworks premises or on customer site, providing operators with hands-on product engagement as part of customer onboarding.
- After-Sales Support & Maintenance Services Spares, replacement parts, upgrades, flight log analysis, and service and maintenance level agreements. In-house capabilities for maintenance, repairs, and fleet upgrades for Dark Matter UAV platforms.
- Custom Payload Integration & Manufacturing Custom integration of payloads, sensors, and accessories including LiDAR scanners (RIEGL, YellowScan, GeoCue), thermal cameras (Workswell, Sentera), gimbals (Gremsy, Viewpro), and specialty sensors. Also includes custom payload manufacturing for unique mission requirements.
Quantifiable outcome
- Flight times up to 84 minutes (hX/qD Gen 3) and 88 minutes (Star), significantly exceeding competitors like DJI M600 at 32 minutes
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Clogworks Technologies
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Clogworks Technologies technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
AI capability4 records
Feature8 records
Clogworks Technologies partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- GeoCuecoreStrategic partnership making Clogworks a TrueView hardware integrator globally. Combines GeoCue's TrueView LiDAR and LP360 software with Clogworks' Dark Matter UAV platforms for end-to-end LiDAR mapping solutions. Clogworks can offer up to 48 minutes flight time with TV535 integrated to Dark Matter hexacopter.
- Akhter Computers LtdcoreMerger/combination in 2025 forming Akhter-Clogworks Technologies Limited. Akhter Computers brought experienced management team and bigger premises, enabling increased production capacity.
- EverdronecoreDevelopment cooperation creating the E2 drone for emergency response. E2 is based on customized Dark Matter hX Gen 2 enhanced with improved weather resistance and tuned response for first responder operations. Supports 'First on Scene' medical delivery service.
- University of HertfordshiresupportingR&D partnership in InnovateUK-funded HS3 project for tunnel-sewer inspection system. University provides Big Data Technologies and Innovation laboratory expertise for AI classification models.
- Intenttech LimitedsupportingR&D partnership in HS3 project for tunnel inspection. Software company develops bespoke applications for data analytics and applied AI for fault-classification.
- Sewer Surveys UK LtdsupportingR&D partnership in HS3 project providing industry expertise in drainage surveys and quality services.
- RIEGL UKcorePartnership with RIEGL UK for LiDAR scanner integration. Dark Matter hX paired with RIEGL scanners (miniVUX-3UAV, VUX-120) presents reliable aircraft carrying scanners that produce highly accurate point clouds. Includes joint webinars and customer demonstrations.
- YellowScancoreIntegration partnership for YellowScan's ultra-light LiDAR scanners including Mapper, Mapper+, Navigator (bathymetric), and Surveyor Ultra. Lightweight payloads easily mounted without compromising flight times.
- SenteracoreIntegration of Sentera 6X multispectral and thermal series sensors (6X Multispectral, 6X Thermal, 6X Thermal Pro, 65R) for agriculture data capture and analysis. Drones offer up to 52 minutes flight time with Sentera 6X cameras.
- ElistaircorePartnership for tethered drone operations. Elistair tether stations enable virtually unlimited flight times for Dark Matter aircraft. Used in humanitarian projects (R2C2, MOVE) and various security/surveillance applications.
- WorkswellcoreIntegration of Workswell thermal and optical payloads including Wiris Pro, Wiris ProSC, Wiris Security, Wiris Agro R, and Wiris Enterprise. Cameras seamlessly integrated for search&rescue, security, gas detection, and agriculture applications.
- ViewprosupportingIntegration of Viewpro zoom gimbal cameras including Q10F, Q30TIRM Pro, Q30T Pro 2, Z36T Cube, and Q20 T Pro 2. Most Viewpro payloads can be seamlessly integrated into Dark Matter platform.
- GremsysupportingPartnership for gimbal integration including Gremsy S1, Pixy U, and T3 gimbals for mounting various cameras. Clogworks has integrated various payloads with Gremsy gimbals since 2015.
- Ericsson ResponsesupportingCollaboration in UNWFP R2C2 disaster relief project. Ericsson provides communications expertise and equipment for temporary internet connectivity in disaster zones.
- WFP Innovation AcceleratorsupportingWFP Innovation Accelerator (Munich, Germany) provides funding, hands-on support and access to WFP global operations for drone-based humanitarian solutions.
- ARPAS-UKsupportingIndustry trade association membership providing CPD webinars, professional body representation, and networking within UK drone community.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Clogworks Technologies competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- DJI: Dominant global drone manufacturer with broad product portfolio from consumer to enterprise platforms (Matrice series, M600). Most direct comparable on multirotor UAVs but with much larger scale and consumer price points; Clogworks explicitly benchmarks against DJI M600 on flight time.
- Teledyne FLIR: Dominant thermal imaging and sensor payload provider integrated across professional drone platforms. Comparable as a payload/sensor ecosystem player that Clogworks integrates with (FLIR Boson 320/640 cameras) and could be partially substitutable for thermal missions.
Direct peers
- Freefly Systems: US-based manufacturer of high-end professional drones (Alta X) and gimbal systems, serving cinema, surveying, and defense with carbon fiber frames and modular payload architecture analogous to Clogworks' Dark Matter approach.
- Yuneec: Drone manufacturer with commercial and industrial product lines (H520, Typhoon). Competes in the professional multirotor segment for inspection and surveying applications.
- Skydio: US-based autonomous drone manufacturer serving defense, public safety, and enterprise inspection with strong NDAA-compliant positioning. Competes with Clogworks in the sovereignty-driven Western professional UAV segment.
- senseFly (Parrot subsidiary): Swiss fixed-wing and quadcopter drone maker focused on surveying, mapping, and inspection. Direct overlap with Clogworks' industrial/surveying segment and payload integration with RIEGL/YellowScan ecosystems.
- Parrot: European drone manufacturer (now focused on professional/B2B) with ANAFI platform and senseFly subsidiary for surveying. Comparable as a non-Chinese professional multirotor OEM with European manufacturing base.
- Delair: French professional drone manufacturer offering fixed-wing and quadcopter platforms for surveying, security, and defense. Comparable as a European-based OEM with multi-vertical professional positioning.
- Autel Robotics: China-based manufacturer of professional multirotor drones (EVO, Dragonfish series) competing in surveying, inspection, and security markets. Comparable product line targeting similar professional operators.
- Wingtra: Swiss manufacturer of professional VTOL surveying drones used for LiDAR mapping and photogrammetry. Competes with Clogworks in industrial surveying with strong payload integration partnerships.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Clogworks Technologies social profiles
Digital presenceClogworks Technologies financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Clogworks Technologies leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Clogworks Technologies funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Clogworks Technologies 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 Clogworks Technologies
What does Clogworks Technologies do?
Clogworks Technologies (Akhter-Clogworks Technologies Limited) designs, engineers, and manufactures precision-engineered carbon fibre multirotor UAVs (hexacopters and quadcopters) under the Dark Matter brand for professional and industrial applications including surveying, security, surveillance, and drone delivery. The company produces both COTS (commercially-off-the-shelf) and custom-configured platforms with NDAA-compliant options, and integrates third-party payloads such as LiDAR scanners, thermal cameras, multispectral sensors, and gimbals.
Is Clogworks Technologies a public or private company?
Clogworks Technologies is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Clogworks Technologies founded?
Clogworks Technologies was founded in 2014. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Clogworks Technologies based?
Clogworks Technologies is headquartered in Holmfirth, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Clogworks Technologies make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. UAV Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom Integration & Payload Solutions, training Services and after-Sales Support & Maintenance.
Who are Clogworks Technologies's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are DJI and Teledyne FLIR. Direct peers are Freefly Systems, Yuneec, Skydio, senseFly (Parrot subsidiary), Parrot, Delair, Autel Robotics and Wingtra.
Does Clogworks Technologies have an API?
No public API is recorded for Clogworks Technologies.
What industry is Clogworks Technologies in?
Clogworks Technologies's product category is Commercial UAV Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAA, Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones. Its NAICS code is 33641 and its SIC code is 3720.