Black Swift Technologies

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Autonomous UAS, Research & Inspection UAVs for Industrial Inspection, Survey & Mapping United States of America
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Black Swift Technologies

Autonomous UAS, Research & Inspection UAVs for Industrial Inspection, Survey & Mapping

Black Swift Technologies is a leading developer of specialized state-of-the-art unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for flying scientific payloads in the most demanding of atmospheric environments and weather conditions.

Our purpose-built research UAVs are utilised around the world for a variety of missions, including the monitoring and assessing of wild fires, volcanoes, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

S1 Mapping UAV

Our autonomous UAS feature onboard augmented intelligent learning capabilities that provide early warning and diagnostics to predict system failures before they happen. This advanced technology allows for active navigation around obstacles and rugged terrain, making our systems ideal for safe and efficient beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations.

Black Swift E2â„¢ Inspection UAS

Autonomous quadcopter aerial inspection UAV

E2 Inspection Quadcopter

The Black Swift E2 is an advanced quadcopter inspection UAV that has been specifically engineered for high-accuracy, up-close structural and industrial inspections. Capable of fully autonomous operation, the E2 is able to leverage powerful computer vision and machine learning technologies to provide precise, reliable and safe navigation in complex environments while delivering real-time actionable data.

The Black Swift E2 carries its payload at the nose of the aircraft instead of the underside, allowing operators to obtain full sensor field-of-view even when looking vertically. Both the payload and UAV battery are easily field-swappable, and the battery position can also be adjusted depending on the weight the aircraft is carrying. A typical loadout for the E2 includes an RGB camera, laser positioning and guidance system and radio modem, but can be customized to individual mission requirements to include LiDAR, thermal and multi-spectral cameras, trace gas sensors, radiometers and more.

Inspection Quadcopter Drone

The highly mobile E2 can be easily folded down and fits into a custom carrying case for convenient transport and protection from potential damage during transit.

Specifications

Frame Weight (empty) 1.42 kg (3.13 lbs)
Electronics and Battery Weight 3.83 kg (8.44 lbs)
Max Payload Weight 1.99 kg (4.39 lbs)
Max Takeoff Weight 8.78 kg (19.36 lbs)
Flight Time 62 minutes
Maximum Wind Speed Endurance 15 m/s (30 kts)

Black Swift S2â„¢ Data Collection UAS

Scientific research UAV for demanding data collection applications

Scientific research drone

The Black Swift S2 is an advanced fixed-wing research UAV that has been custom-built for scientific research in demanding atmospheric conditions such as high altitudes, high levels of corrosive particulates, and strong turbulence. With a rugged airframe, high flight ceiling and extended endurance and range, the S2 is capable of autonomous launch, flight, and landing even in difficult mountainous regions.

Scientific Research UAV

The S2 features a convenient field-swappable payload system that encloses the sensor suite within the nose cone in front of the propeller, ensuring clean and uncontaminated measurements of the atmosphere. With a common power, data, and mechanical interface, different payloads can be rapidly swapped in the field without any specialized tools. Payloads can thus be field-calibrated separately from the aircraft, and different sensor suites can be rapidly deployed in successive missions using the same UAV extending the versatility of the aircraft.

Research drone

Black Swift Technologies has incorporated a variety of modular payload sensors for specialized applications onto the S2â„¢, including:

  • Soil Moisture Mapping (L-band radiometer)
  • Wildfire Monitoring (CO2, CO, aerosol, RH, p and T trace gas sensors, multispectral camera)
  • Multi-Angular Remote Sensing (531nm band monitor, Tetracam Mini-Multiple Camera Array Imaging System, multispectral camera)
  • Volcano Monitoring (CO2 trace gas sensor, nephelometer, temperature, pressure, humidity and wind sensors)

Specifications

Wingspan 3.0 m (10.0 ft)
Aircraft Weight 5.2 kg (11.5 lbs) nominal
6.6 kg (14.5 lbs) max
Max Payload Weight 1.4 kg (3 lbs) hand launch
2.3 kg (5 lb) rail launch
Flight Ceiling 6000 m (20,000 ft)
Speed 12 m/s (24 kts) stall
18 m/s (35 kts) cruise
Flight Time 110 min max
90 min nominal
Range 110 km (60 nm) max
92 km (50 nm) nominal
Maximum Wind Speed Endurance 15 m/s (30 kts)

SwiftCoreâ„¢ UAS Flight Management System

SwiftCore UAS Flight Management System

Powering all our autonomous UAVs, the SwiftCoreâ„¢ Flight Management System (FMS) delivers sophisticated real-time control, communication, and command. An intuitive interface for flight monitoring and mapping is provided via an Android tablet with our SwiftTabâ„¢ software. With easy gesture-based controls, SwiftCoreâ„¢ FMS is designed for users to deploy their UAS in minutes and begin collecting data for immediate analysis and decision making.

Advanced smart control systems and application-specific sensor integrations provide industry-leading sensor-based control of the UAS, minimizing operator workload while improving the quality of the observed data by autonomously modifying the fl­ight path based on sensor inputs.

Drone Flight Management Software

SwiftCoreâ„¢ has been approved and used for major scientific and research missions by NASA, NOAA and a growing list of commercial users. The fully customizable solution can be integrated into any UAS platform and customized to meet specific application requirements.

Applications

Atmospheric Monitoring

drone Atmospheric Monitoring

Our autonomous UAS solutions, featuring easily interchangeable payloads, are ideal for measuring selected gases and atmospheric parameters such as temperature, pressure, humidity, and 3D winds as well as more advanced measurements such as particle sizing and trace gases. These abilities add an invaluable contribution to the calibration and validation of data collected from ground and satellite-based methods.

Learn more: Atmospheric Monitoring

Wildfire Observation

drone Wildfire Observation

The Black Swift S2 has been selected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as its official sUAS Observation System (sUASOS) for wildfire measurements. The inspection UAV is fitted with specialist sensors for capturing and measuring a variety of gases, including CO2, CO, aerosol, RH, p, and T found in the wildfire plumes. The S2 also provides multispectral high-resolution maps of wildfires.

Learn more: Wildfire Observation

Soil Moisture Mapping

drone-soil-moisture-mapping

Utilising the Black Swift S2 UAS with a passive microwave radiometer for soil moisture mapping provides a level of spatial and temporal resolution that has been previously unobtainable through traditional satellite-based remote sensing techniques. This allows specialists such as agronomists, crop consultants and farmers to diagnose problems and better understand the dynamics of soil drainage and moisture retention at typical root depths.

Learn more: Soil Moisture Mapping

Aerial Surveying & Mapping

drone Surveying Mapping

Our fully-integrated precision mapping and surveying solutions save time and costs and provide enhanced accuracy compared to traditional methods. Black Swift’s SwiftCore Flight Management System has been proven in a recent study to be the most accurate and precise FMS on the market today, making it ideal for gathering accurate data for precision photogrammetry.

Learn more: Aerial Surveying & Mapping

Construction & Mining

construction-mining-drone

Our autonomous UAV can provide a host of benefits for project managers, mine engineers and other professionals working in labour-intensive industries. Applications include real-time data collection, stockpile monitoring, equipment tracking and site surveying, all while reducing risk, maximising safety and improving efficiency.

Learn more: Construction and Mining

Products

Black Swift S0â„¢ Research UAS

Compact UAV for high-altitude atmospheric profiling

SwiftCoreâ„¢ UAS Flight Management System

Sophisticated real-time flight monitoring

Black Swift E2 Inspection Quadcopter UAS

Autonomous quadcopter aerial inspection drone

Black Swift S2â„¢ Data Collection UAS

Scientific research drone for demanding data collection applications

Articles

Latest
Enhancing Hurricane Data Collection Through Fixed-Wing UAV Technology

Explore Black Swift Technologies’ SØ UAS, which provides cost-effective, autonomous storm data collection, advancing tropical cyclone research and improving forecasting in hazardous environments

May 17, 2025
Black Swift & AOML Set Records in Hurricane Data Collection

AOML partnered with Black Swift Technologies, among other companies, to set new records in tropical cyclone research that enhances hurricane forecasting and understanding

Dec 12, 2024
Black Swift sUAS Support Hurricane Helene Data Collection Efforts

Researchers from NOAA deployed Black Swift S0 drones during Hurricane Helene to gather key atmospheric data, enhancing the understanding of the storm's structure and aiding forecasting efforts

Oct 29, 2024
NOAA Deploys Black Swift Drones to Monitor Hurricane Ernesto

NOAA and Black Swift Technologies successfully deployed four Black Swift S0 drones into the heart of Hurricane Ernesto, setting new records in hurricane data collection and enhancing forecast accuracy

Aug 23, 2024
Black Swift Technologies Talks to UST

Innovation leaders Black Swift Technologies sit down with UST to discuss the latest development of unmanned systems for cutting-edge scientific applications

Mar 18, 2024
$1.25M Awarded for Runway Soil Integrity Testing

Black Swift Technologies and Orbital Micro Systems will use UAVs and radiometer soil moisture sensing solutions to scan soil moisture and integrity of potential landing strips

Dec 04, 2023
Using Drones for Hurricane Monitoring

Black Swift Technologies discusses how the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) used the company’s Black Swift S0 UAS for...

May 03, 2023
Black Swift Technologies Named AUVSI XCELLENCE Award Winner

The company was selected from a pool of accomplished applicants as one of five winners for the Humanitarian and Public Safety Awards during AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2022 in Orlando

May 03, 2022
UAS for Wildfire Management and Suppression

Black Swift Technologies has released the following article detailing how the company’s Black Swift S2 UAS (unmanned aerial vehicle), equipped...

Apr 21, 2022
Q&A with Black Swift Technologies

Jack Elston, CEO of Black Swift Technologies discusses the challenges, successes and remarkable impact BST unmanned aerial systems are having on scientific and academic research around the world.

Mar 24, 2022
Volcano Surveying and Observation with UAS

Black Swift Technologies has released a case study detailing how its Black Swift S2 fixed-wing UAS (unmanned aerial system) has...

Sep 22, 2021
Air-Deployed UAS Developed for Atmospheric Sampling

The following article is based on a news released authored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Black Swift...

Jun 03, 2021
System Failure Prediction Software for UAS

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has released the following article detailing its proposed artificial intelligence-based solution for detecting anomalies in unmanned...

Mar 03, 2021
GPS-Denied Navigation for BVLOS Drone Flights Under Development

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has been awarded a contract by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a...

Jan 20, 2021
AI for UAV Failure Prediction and Emergency Landing

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has released the following article about technology developed by the company that will allow unmanned aerial...

Nov 05, 2020
AI and Machine Learning for Automated Emergency UAS Landings

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has released a whitepaper detailing the development of the company’s SwiftSTL (Safe To Land) technology for...

Sep 11, 2020
Real-Time Horizontal Noxious Gas Profiling with UAS

Black Swift Technologies has released an application note detailing how the company’s Black Swift S2 fixed-wing UAS (unmanned aerial system)...

Aug 09, 2020
UAS Conducts Soil Moisture Mapping Mission

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has released a whitepaper outlining how the company’s Black Swift S2 fixed-wing UAS (unmanned aerial system)...

Jul 06, 2020
Black Swift Technologies Develops UAS for Scientific Research & Data Collection

Black Swift Technologies, a leading developer of specialized state-of-the-art unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for flying scientific payloads, has partnered with...

Jun 20, 2020
Tactical Weather Drone Under Development for US Air Force

Black Swift Technologies has been awarded a contract by the United States Air Force (USAF) for the development of an...

Apr 24, 2020
Automated Industrial Inspection Quadcopter UAS Unveiled

Black Swift Technologies (BST), a developer of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for scientific and commercial applications, has announced the launch...

Feb 18, 2020
Air-Deployed Drones to Provide Cyclone and Hurricane Monitoring

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has announced that it has been awarded a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contract to...

Jun 18, 2019
BST Tests Autonomous Navigation Sensors on Fixed-Wing UAV

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has announced that it has completed the first phase of a NASA-funded project to demonstrate the...

Mar 21, 2019
Black Swift to Develop UAS for Atmospheric Observations of Venus

Black Swift Technologies (BST), a developer of purpose-built scientific aerial platforms, has announced that it has been awarded a NASA...

Jun 18, 2018
Black Swift and NASA to Develop Next-Gen Sensors for Agricultural Drones

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has announced the expansion of a pathfinder mission with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to develop...

Mar 20, 2018
Black Swift Technologies and NASA JPL Demonstrate UAS Volcano Research

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has announced a successful collaboration with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (NASA/JPL) to capture airborne carbon dioxide...

Feb 05, 2018
Black Swift sUAS Selected for Nighttime Wildfire Observation

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has announced that the company’s small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS), SuperSwift, has been selected by the...

Aug 03, 2017
NASA Selects SuperSwift XT UAS for Volcano Ash Monitoring

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has announced that it has been awarded a contract by NASA to develop and deliver a...

May 02, 2017
Black Swift Technologies UAS Completes Extreme Altitude Mapping Test

Black Swift Technologies (BST) has announced that it has overcome the challenges of mapping terrain in difficult conditions at altitudes...

Mar 28, 2017

Videos

Regional Offices & Locations
Black Swift Technologies United States of America 2840 Wilderness Place, Suite D, Boulder, Colorado 80301 +1 (720) 638-9656 Contact Website
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