Alpha Unmanned Systems, SL., is an aeronautical engineering company that manufactures small tactical helicopter UAVs. Founded in 2014 and based in Madrid, Alpha’s team of young professionals is dedicated to building and distributing Alpha’s helicopter UAV platforms as the preferred tactical UAV platform of choice for maritime security, border control, infrastructure inspections and other critical missions.
With product sales to the US DoD, the Indonesian Coast Guard and to leading clients in more than 9 countries, Alpha’s helicopters fill an important market niche; small tactical fuel-powered helicopter drones that are reliable and versatile for multi-mission use.
Fully automatic, Alpha’s helicopter UAVs can fly up to 4 hours and carry payloads that weigh up to 4 kg including some of the world’s most sophisticated electronic sensors for civilian and security purposes. Alpha is ISO9001 certified and its A900 platform is built “STANAG-Compliant” with fully redundant critical systems.
Alpha Unmanned Systems provides the full engineering value chain for its small tactical fuel-powered helicopter UAVs and for related control systems. Working closely with large defense companies, Alpha also offers Advanced Engineering Services, using its systems as test platforms for much larger UAVs.
Following 9 years of organic growth, Alpha has just completed its first seed round of external investment. Alpha is very proud that its seed round investors include UAV industry expert Joseph Menaker, Alpha’s senior business development director, Tobias Webster, former Managing Director of UAV Navigation and Alpha’s CFO, Javier Castaño. With this funding and its strong base of support and expertise, Alpha is confident that it will continue to develop outstanding UAV helicopter platforms and grow significantly worldwide.
Helicopter UAVs
Alpha 900 – Rotary Wing UAV
STANAG-compliant maritime drone for coast guard and naval applications
The Alpha 900 is a fuel-powered rotary-wing UAV designed specifically to excel under challenging marine and maritime conditions. With an MTOW of less than 25 kg, the STANAG 4738-compliant platform can easily take-off from and land on the deck of a ship, and also features robust weather-proofing.
The versatile naval drone can carry up to 4kg, and features a main and secondary payload bay as well as external hard points and an internal electronics bay.
It is an ideal choice for ISR and security missions, for coast guard and naval operations.
Versatile rotary-wing UAV for civilian & military applications
The Alpha 800 is a versatile multi-mission rotary-wing drone with extremely low logistical footprint and maintenance requirements. The highly reliable system can be transported in a pick-up truck or van, and can be set up and airborne in minutes.
The single-rotor drone can carry up to 3kg and can be equipped for a wide range of civilian and military missions, including mapping, inspection, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search and rescue.
Portable tracking antenna system for long-range maritime UAV communications
Our vessel-based control system (VCS) uses dual-antenna GNSS and a high-gain gyrostabilized tracking antenna to provide reliable long-range encrypted communications between UAVs and their motherships. Multiple datalink options are available providing ranges of up to 50 km.
The system includes two rugged laptops for UAV and payload control, as well as an IP67-rated rugged handheld joystick that enables communication via Ethernet at distances of up to 40 metres from the control room.
Portable GCS with dual screens and rugged carry case
The G-Case Duo is a portable UAS GCS designed for use by two operators. The rugged and easy-to-deploy system is housed within a waterproof Pelican case, and features two sunlight-readable 15” HD screens for vehicle and payload control.
The GCS can be equipped with different antenna systems to provide communication ranges of up to 50 kilometers. Up to four UAVs, UGVs or USVs can be controlled simultaneously, and telemetry and video data is transmitted via an encrypted MIMO link.
Our unmanned aerial targets, based on proven Alpha platforms, allow defense forces to train realistically and effectively against a simulated manned helicopter threat with a variety of advanced weapon systems, including Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD), Surface to Air Missiles (SAM), and Air to Air (AA) systems.
Providing a slow-moving target that can hover and fly vertically, our robust aerial targets offer up to 4 hours of autonomous flight, and are capable of automatic VTOL operation from moving vessels. They can be equipped with a variety of payloads, including:
Radar Enhancement & Cross-Section Amplification – both active and passive payloads
IR Enhancement System – flares that provide the heat signature of a full-size helicopter
MDI Scoring – used to count small projectiles or as a scalar MDI for larger projectiles and missiles
Visibility Enhancement – allows target drones to be detected and tracked more easily via radar, infrared, or visual methods
Laser Reflecting Mirrors – enables precise targeting and simulation of real combat scenarios
We can provide precisely-engineered payload integration to suit your exact requirements, covering all aspects of mechanical, electrical and communications engineering as well as thorough testing. Options include high-resolution cameras, infrared thermal imagers, multispectral sensors, LiDAR scanners, magnetometers, altimeters, transponders and more.
UAV Maintenance
We offer a full maintenance and service program that covers everything from minor repairs to complete overhauls, ensuring that your UAVs continue to fly safely and at full efficiency. Systems can be sent to our facilities in Madrid, or our fully qualified technicians can visit your premises.
Training Programs
Our comprehensive training programs for Alpha unmanned helicopters include online courses as well as on-site training at our facilities, providing users with all the knowledge and skills required to plan and execute automated missions. Additional BVLOS and advanced maintenance training modules are also available.
Our single-rotor helicopter drones are designed to provide the very best in unmanned ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance), providing critical situational awareness for superior tactical advantages and decision-making.
Border Control Drone
Alpha rotary-wing UAVs are ideal for frontier patrolling and border control, and multiple units can be flown together to cover wide geographical areas. Sensors can be used to detect and recognise objects such as people and vehicles, and identify details at long range.
Maritime Security UAV
Our naval drones are ideal maritime surveillance drones, providing support for naval vessels and coast guard personnel as well as oil rigs and commercial fishing operations. With automated take-off and landing capabilities, they can operate from moving ships with limited deck space.
Contamination Detection
With long endurance and large payload capacities, Alpha helicopter UAVs are highly suited to ecological disaster prevention and recovery on land or at sea. They can be used to monitor emissions, and can be equipped with a system that analyzes and records air samples and reports testing results in real time.
Alpha Unmanned Systems highlights how interoperability with USVs and manned platforms can enhance the effectiveness of UAV helicopters in maritime surveillance, border control, and search and rescue missions
Alpha Unmanned Systems has launched Alpha Target Systems, featuring the A900T and A800T to simulate enemy aircraft, helicopters, and other threats for realistic defense exercises
Alpha Unmanned Systems delves into a case study their collaboration with Airbus Helicopters Spain, integrating manned and unmanned systems to transform aviation
Alpha Unmanned Systems will participate in the REPMUS exercise in Portugal, deploying UAVs for mine detection, maritime surveillance, and threat identification
Alpha Unmanned Systems explores the military and civil benefits and potential applications of integrating a range of payloads into the company’s helicopter unmanned aerial vehicle
The Alpha A900 helicopters from Alpha Unmanned Systems have been delivered to the Bulgarian Border Police, providing enhanced capabilities for border surveillance, tracking of suspicious objects, and maritime space surveys
Álvaro Escarpenter, CTO and co-founder of Alpha Unmanned Systems takes timeout to discuss the evolution of the Alpha 800 and Alpha 900, the advantages of fueled unmanned helicopters over battery powered multirotor platforms, and the key to achieving reliability in demanding, GPS-denied environments such as the Ukraine
Issued to Alpha Unmanned Systems the CAE certificate authorizes the Alpha Unmanned Systems' A900 to be operated as an aircraft within the fleet of aircraft belonging to the Armed Forces
Alpha Unmanned Systems' helicopter UAVs are deployed around the world for maritime security, border control, infrastructure inspections and other critical missions
Rapid Expeditionary Concepts and Alpha Unmanned Systems will provide deployment and training support using the Alpha 900 in a joint operational evaluation to be conducted by the US DoD over the next two years
The companies will support each other in joint business opportunities in 5G communications and unmanned helicopters in the defense and security sectors
Maritime Security UAV
Contamination Detection
