In 2009, UAV Factory was founded out of Irvington, New York with one simple goal. As stated on the company website, this goal was the development of “the most advanced technology in the small, long-endurance unmanned aircraft market segment.” With 125 employees in the US and Europe, clients within 57 different countries, and more than 7,000 test hour flights, UAV Factory has accomplished its goal and plans to continue pushing the boundaries of drone technology. The company custom builds small fixed winged drones that outperform many multi rotor drones.

UAV Factory’s main product is the Penguin C UAS. Though it is categorized as a small drone, it is much larger than your typical off the shelf quadrocopter. It is about the size of a medium remote controlled aircraft and is broken down into 5 rugged travel cases. The drone, along with its travel cases, weighs about 585lbs altogether. Still, the drone itself weighs just over 50lbs, keeping it under the FAA’s 55lb limit for small UAVs. It can be easily transported by a 2 person crew in the back of any van or vehicle with ample cargo space. Once at the desired launch location, the drone can be assembled in just a few moments thanks to pieces that quickly snap together.

The drone can be outfitted with a range of precision stabilized gimbal camera systems for unparalleled surveillance options. It even has an optional 360 degree rotational nose that can capture images from any angle. The system comes with a portable ground control station, a long range antenna tracker, and a pneumatic catapult launcher. The Penguin has an interchangeable EFI (Electric Fuel Injected) engine. “Thanks to the UAV Factory’s own state-of-the-art electronic fuel injected (EFI) engine, Penguin C flight endurance is up to 20 hours,” the company website explains. With the ability to stay airborne for hours at a time, the Penguin drone is also able to cover a range of over 60 miles.

Penguin drones are being used all over the world by militaries, private securities, and commercial inspection entities. In August of 2021, UAV Factory introduced an upgrade to the Penguin class drone called the Penguin C Mk2 VTOL. This new model is not dependent on the pneumatic launcher system, instead, it has a Vertical TakeOff and Landing (VTOL) system that does not compromise the aerodynamics sought after in glider, fixed wing drones. “The Penguin C Mk2 VTOL introduces the patented AEROFLOW Boom Technology, enabling a 20% increase in flight endurance,” UAV Factory states. “The patented technology showcases hoods over the vertical lifting rotors that automatically enclose the lifting rotors while the vehicle is in horizontal flight, significantly reducing the parasitic drag on the vehicle.”

The new drone model has been vetted with over 600 takeoffs and landings, all in different terrains. The drone is also capable of operating in extreme temperatures and strong winds. With the new and improved Penguin C Mk2 VTOL, UAV Factory is maintaining its goal of providing the best in small UAV technology.

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