What Drone Rescue Systems GmbH does

Drone Rescue Systems GmbH is an Austrian private limited company (GmbH) founded in 2014 and headquartered in Graz, Austria, with a secondary office at Puchstraße 17, 8020 Graz. The company designs and manufactures autonomous parachute recovery systems for commercial unmanned aerial vehicles spanning take-off weights from approximately 2 kg to 250 kg+. Its core technology combines proprietary smart electronics and failure-detection software algorithms with non-pyrotechnical parachute hardware (total system weight 290-650 g depending on take-off weight) that monitors flight parameters and triggers deployment without pilot intervention, achieving full parachute bloom within a few to 15 meters depending on the airframe. Systems embed a multi-GNSS receiver (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) at 10 Hz with 2.0-2.5 m horizontal position accuracy to support geofencing-based automatic triggering, and integrate with host drones via MAVLink, PWM, and DJI PSDK/O-SDK/P-SDK interfaces.

The product portfolio is organized into generic weight-class lines (DRS-5, DRS-10, DRS-15, DRS-25, DRS-HeavyLift) and form-factor-specific lines (DRS-VTOL, DRS-Fixed Wing, DRS-Rotor Wing, DRS-FTS), plus a large set of OEM-specific integrations developed jointly with drone manufacturers including DJI (Matrice 200/210 V2/300/350/400/600, Matrice 30, Inspire 3), Acecore Technologies (NOA, ZOE), Aurelia Aerospace (X6, X8), Arcsky (X55), DeltaQuad (Pro), Freefly Systems (AltaX), Velos Rotors (V3), and Watts Innovations (PRISM Lite, PRISM Sky). Accessories include manual triggering devices (EU and non-EU variants), geofencing upgrades, IP-protection options, and spare parachutes, alongside a "DRS Mechanics Only" hardware-only SKU for customers supplying their own activation electronics. Products are designed to comply with ASTM F3322, EASA MOC-2511, and MOC-2512 standards, with stated support for FAA, CAA, TC, DGAC, and SORA approval processes.

The business model is direct hardware sales on a quote-based, one-time-payment basis with no disclosed subscription or recurring fees, supplemented by custom OEM integration services. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise field sales with channel partnerships through drone manufacturers who integrate or co-sell DRS systems; marketing is conducted through the company website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and industry events. Customers span drone manufacturers, delivery operators, inspection and surveying providers, commercial cinematographers, emergency services, and government agencies (including NASA, listed as a client/partner). The company has been an official Auterion partner since 2022 and reports having been awarded by the European Space Agency. Leadership is founder-led by CEO Markus Manninger, with Alexander Seidenberger as Head of Sales (covering EU and US) and Fabian Weinhandl as Head of Business Development. No disclosed funding rounds, parent entities, or M&A activity are present in the source data.

Name

Drone Rescue Systems GmbH

Legal name

Drone Rescue Systems GmbH

Website

https://dronerescue.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Drone Rescue Systems GmbH is an Austrian hardware company that designs and manufactures autonomous, non-pyrotechnical parachute recovery systems for commercial drones (2-250 kg+), serving drone manufacturers and commercial operators across delivery, inspection, surveying, cinematography, and emergency services worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drone Safety Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) & Multirotor Drones (IMABAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB), UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL)

Keywords

• Drone parachute systems
• UAV safety equipment
• Autonomous flight termination
• Parachute recovery systems
• Drone safety solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Graz

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Parachute Recovery System Sales: Sale of proprietary parachute recovery systems (DRS-5, DRS-10, DRS-15, DRS-25, DRS-HeavyLift, DRS-VTOL, DRS-Fixed Wing, DRS-Rotor Wing, and drone-specific integrations) as hardware products. Customers include drone manufacturers (OEM integration) and commercial drone operators. Products are sold directly through sales team and via channel partners.
2. Custom OEM Integration Services: Custom parachute recovery system design and integration services for commercial drone manufacturers requiring specialized solutions for their specific aircraft designs.
3. Accessories and Add-ons: Sale of accessories including Manual Triggering Devices (EU and non-EU variants), geofencing upgrades, IP-protection options, and spare parachutes for repacking.
4. DRS Mechanics Only (Hardware-Only): Sale of parachute hardware without electronics for customers wanting to use their own activation sensors and electronics, available for drones 2-25kg take-off weight.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Drone Rescue Systems GmbH designs, manufactures, and sells autonomous, lightweight, non-pyrotechnic parachute recovery systems for commercial drones and UAVs. The product portfolio covers weight classes from 2kg to over 250kg, including generic solutions (DRS-5, DRS-10, DRS-15, DRS-25, DRS-HeavyLift, DRS-VTOL, DRS-Fixed Wing, DRS-Rotor Wing, DRS-FTS) and drone-specific integrated systems for DJI, Acecore, Aurelia, Arcsky, DeltaQuad, Freefly, Velos Rotors, and Watts Innovations. Core technology uses smart electronics with autonomous failure detection algorithms, multi-GNSS geofencing, and broad interface compatibility (MAVLink, PWM, DJI SDKs).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DRS-5 Autonomous parachute recovery system for drones in the 2-5kg take-off weight class. Lightweight (290-650g system weight), non-pyrotechnic, and reusable within minutes. Features smart electronics with failure detection algorithms and multi-GNSS geofencing.
• DRS-10
• DRS-15
• DRS-25
• DRS-HeavyLift
• DRS-VTOL
• DRS-Fixed Wing
• DRS-Rotor Wing
• DRS-FTS
• DRS-M300/M350 (DJI Matrice 300/350)
• DRS-M30 (DJI Matrice 30)
• DRS-M400 (DJI Matrice 400)
• DRS-M600 (DJI Matrice 600)
• DRS-Inspire3 (DJI Inspire 3)
• DRS-M200 (DJI Matrice 200)
• DRS-M210-V2 (DJI Matrice 210 V2)
• DRS-AltaX (Freefly Systems AltaX)
• DRS-DQpro (DeltaQuad Pro)
• DRS-NOA (Acecore NOA)
• DRS-ZOE (Acecore ZOE)
• DRS-X55 (Arcsky X55)
• DRS-X6 (Aurelia Aerospace X6)
• DRS-X8 (Aurelia Aerospace X8)
• DRS-VELOS V3 (Velos Rotors V3)
• DRS-PRISM Lite (Watts Innovations PRISM Lite)
• DRS-PRISM Sky (Watts Innovations PRISM Sky)
• DRS Mechanics Only
• DRS Custom Solution
• Manual Triggering Device
• Geofencing Upgrade

Quantifiable outcome

• System weight as low as 290g for smallest weight class
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration21 records

AI capability2 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• AuterioncoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Official Auterion partner since 2022. Auterion is a leading open-source drone platform provider. Partnership enables integration with Auterion's ecosystem of drone software and hardware solutions.
• European Space AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAwarded by European Space Agency for drone safety technology development. ESA recognition validates the company's technology and provides access to space industry expertise and potential applications.
• DJIcoreTechnology or IntegrationDeep SDK integration partnership for DJI drone platforms including Matrice 200/210/300/350/400/600 series, Matrice 30, and Inspire 3. Products connect via DJI's onboard SDK, O-SDK, P-SDK, and E-Port V2 interfaces for seamless integration.
• Acecore TechnologiescoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for integrated parachute solutions for Acecore NOA (25kg version) and ZOE drones. Products developed jointly with Acecore for optimal integration.
• Aurelia AerospacecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for integrated parachute solutions for Aurelia X6 and X8 drones. Products developed jointly with Aurelia for seamless integration.
• ArcskycoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for integrated parachute solution for Arcsky X55 drone. Products developed in partnership with Arcsky.
• DeltaQuadcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for integrated VTOL parachute solution for DeltaQuad Pro. Solution is perfectly integrated into the fuselage to maintain aerodynamics and performance.
• Freefly SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for integrated parachute solution for Freefly AltaX drone. Products developed jointly with Freefly for optimal integration.
• Watts InnovationscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for integrated parachute solutions for Watts Innovations PRISM Lite and PRISM Sky drones. Advanced automatic parachute systems developed in partnership.
• Velos RotorscoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for integrated parachute solution for Velos Rotors V3 drone. Advanced automatic parachute system developed in partnership with Velos.
• NASAflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA is listed as a client/partner on the Drone Rescue Systems website, indicating use of their parachute safety solutions.
• Third Element AviationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as client/partner on the Drone Rescue Systems website.
• AERO SoluStaxminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as client/partner on the Drone Rescue Systems website.
• Altus Land Sea AirminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as client/partner on the Drone Rescue Systems website.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Auterion: Auterion is an open-source drone operating system provider and an existing DRS partner. While not a parachute supplier, it is a meaningful ecosystem partner and potential integrator of safety systems.
• Iris Automation: Iris Automation provides detect-and-avoid (DAA) systems for BVLOS drone operations. Competes with parachute systems as an alternative compliance pathway for BVLOS approvals.

Broad incumbents

• uAvionix: uAvionix provides certified avionics, ADS-B, and detect-and-avoid safety systems for manned and unmanned aircraft. Adjacent safety/avionics category for commercial and defense drones, with broader portfolio and regulatory footprint.
• Sagetech Avionics: Sagetech Avionics manufactures certified avionics, transponders, and situational awareness systems for commercial and defense drones. Adjacent safety/avionics category with deeper defense penetration.

Others

• DroneShield: DroneShield builds counter-UAS detection and defeat systems for defense and security. Sits in the broader drone safety ecosystem but addresses the inverse problem (defending against drones), making it thematic rather than direct competition.
• Altitude Angel: Altitude Angel provides U-space/UAM traffic management infrastructure for drone operations. Adjacent ecosystem participant shaping the regulatory and operational environment in which DRS parachute systems are required.

Direct peers

• Indemnis Insights: Indemnis builds autonomous parachute recovery systems for commercial drones, focusing on FAA-compliant safety solutions. Closely comparable product offering targeting DJI and commercial cinema drone operators.
• Fruity Chutes: Fruity Chutes manufactures drone and UAV parachute systems including recovery systems for multirotor and fixed-wing drones. Comparable product category with longer industry tenure serving hobbyist, commercial, and OEM customers.
• AVSS (Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions): AVSS provides ASTM F3322-compliant drone parachute recovery systems and flight termination systems, including DJI M300/M350 integrations. Direct competitor with overlapping OEM integration strategy and certification footprint.
• ParaZero Drone Safety Systems: ParaZero is the most direct competitor, offering autonomous drone parachute recovery systems with ASTM F3322 compliance for commercial drones. Closely comparable product line, certifications, and BVLOS customer base across commercial cinematography, delivery, and inspection.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/drone_rescue
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCtDQXsbUPY58x903vqU8AfQ/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/DroneRescueSystems
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/drone-rescue-systems-gmbh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Drone Rescue Systems GmbH