Hargrave Technologies has launched the microDRIVE MP, a 60 V, 120 A motor controller designed for demanding missions and optimised for medium Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) and helicopter applications.
As the newest addition to the company’s DRIVE series of premium Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs), the microDRIVE MP delivers sustained high-current performance and intelligent motor control in a rugged, IP67-rated package.
As Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms scale and propulsion loads increase, reliability, visibility, and ease of integration become mission-critical. The microDRIVE MP is engineered to meet these demands head-on, delivering controlled, predictable power for high-performance uncrewed systems operating in complex environments.
Advanced Motor Control
The microDRIVE MP is engineered to deliver both high performance and operational flexibility for the most demanding missions. Optimised for medium VTOL and helicopter platforms, it provides a choice between Hargrave’s flight-proven, high-efficiency FOCAL algorithm and a rapid-response trapezoidal drive mode.
Integrated temperature sensing, multiple Hall-effect sensor inputs, and an optional motor sense cable enable advanced functionality such as active propeller parking and intelligent motor thermal protection. The result is safe, responsive control throughout the system lifecycle, delivering smooth, reliable power exactly when and where it is required.
Seamless Avionics Integration
Reliable, real-time telemetry and precise control are critical in modern aircraft systems. The microDRIVE MP supports both DroneCAN and ARINC 825 communications, enabling seamless integration into advanced flight platforms.
The controller provides full throttle authority, in-flight telemetry, configuration capability, and network-based firmware updates. With more than 60 configurable parameters and comprehensive visibility across key telemetry metrics, including current, voltage, and RPM, engineers and operators gain continuous insight into system performance throughout every phase of flight.
Configuration changes and firmware updates can be deployed directly from the flight computer or ground station, streamlining development, testing, and fleet synchronisation. The microDRIVE MP also supports bidirectional DShot and PWM interfaces.
Rugged IP67 Protection
Designed for unpredictable mission environments, the microDRIVE MP is housed in a rugged, IP67-rated enclosure that protects against dust ingress and temporary water submersion. Its sealed construction enables reliable operation in coastal deployments, high-humidity tropical climates, and dust-intensive desert conditions.
Beyond environmental protection, the enclosure also plays a key role in thermal management, efficiently transferring heat away from the controller to sustain continuous 120 A operation. Combining high power density with proven durability, the microDRIVE MP allows engineers to prioritise mission performance rather than environmental constraints.
Built for Mission Confidence
The controller incorporates advanced features to maximise reliability and system visibility:
- High-speed circular data logging with up to 72 hours of onboard storage
- Real-time, configurable hardware protection mechanisms
- Internal capacitor bank supporting input leads up to 3 m (9 ft)
- Fully integrated power and signal cabling
- Accurate current measurement across the full operating range
- Advanced onboard diagnostics and self-testing
- Error-correcting memory for enhanced data integrity
With sustained 120 A capability, intelligent control and robust environmental protection,
microDRIVE MP sets a new benchmark for high-power ESC performance in medium VTOL
and helicopter platforms.
Tony Bazonui, Director at Hargrave Technologies, commented, “microDRIVE MP was developed to perform under real mission conditions. With full system visibility and precise control over sustained 120 A performance, microDRIVE MP enables operators to push the limits of the most demanding medium VTOL missions with confidence.”
The microDRIVE MP is available now.
