UAS Systems
The Aedes Network starts with one platform. Designed to be built at a kitchen table. Capable of serving every mission profile that matters.
Aedes Reference Systems
HX-1 Heavy Hex
900mm Hexacopter · 10lb Payload · 3D-Printable Airframe
A heavy-lift, multi-mission hexacopter designed from the ground up for distributed manufacturing. Every structural component can be 3D-printed on a consumer-grade printer. Every electronic component is available from domestic suppliers. The entire platform can be assembled — without a machine shop, without a factory — at a kitchen table.
Key Numbers
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900mm wheelbase hexacopter — 6-motor configuration provides redundancy. Lose one motor and the platform stays airborne.
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15-inch propellers on each arm deliver the thrust-to-weight ratio needed for 10+ lb payload capacity at sustained flight endurance.
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Central octagonal body houses the flight controller, GPS, telemetry, and power distribution — all accessible from the top for field serviceability.
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Folding arm design allows the entire platform to collapse to 60% of deployed size — fits in a standard Pelican 1510 carry-on case.
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Arm geometry optimized for distributed assembly: each arm is an identical unit, 3D-printed with carbon fiber tube core reinforcement.
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Quick-release payload rail on the underside center accepts standardized payload modules — swap in under 60 seconds without tools.
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Low-profile body (80mm) keeps center of gravity stable under heavy payload. Payload mass sits close to the motor plane.
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Landing gear provides 200mm of ground clearance — sufficient for most payload modules including gimbaled cameras and relay antennas.
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Top-mounted battery bay accepts standard 6S 22,000mAh packs — hot-swap capable in field conditions. Multiple battery configurations supported.
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Front-mounted gimbal attachment point is payload-agnostic: accepts EO/IR cameras, multispectral sensors, or custom sensor packages.
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Primary frame components are designed for FDM 3D printing in PETG or ASA — standard materials available at any hardware store or online supplier.
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Carbon fiber tube cores slide into 3D-printed arm housings — no machining required. Cut to length with a pipe cutter, press fit and secure with M3 hardware.
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Total component count under 200 parts. A builder with basic electronics skills and a $300 3D printer can produce a complete airframe in under 20 hours.
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All electronics (flight controller, ESCs, motors, GPS, receiver) are off-the-shelf components available from domestic suppliers — no foreign-only sourced parts required.
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Assembly documentation includes step-by-step instructions, torque specifications, wiring diagrams, and pre-flight checklists. Designed to be followed without prior drone-building experience.
Interchangeable Payload Modules
One airframe. Multiple missions. Payloads snap on and off via the quick-release rail. The HX-1 is a platform — what it does depends on what you attach.
EO/IR Camera Module
Electro-optical and infrared imaging for day/night reconnaissance and area surveillance.
Communications Relay Module
Mesh networking radio or UHF/VHF repeater — extends comms range for ground forces or first responders.
Multispectral Mapping Module
Area mapping and terrain modeling for disaster response, infrastructure assessment, and operational planning.
Logistics Delivery Module
Secure payload drop system for medical supplies, small equipment, or critical components to hard-to-reach locations.
Signal Intelligence Module
Passive RF monitoring and spectrum analysis — for authorized government and research applications.
Full Specifications
Reference specification — subject to refinement through production validation pilots.
Aedes MD
Mosquito Drone · 250mm Quad · 2lb Payload · Single-Print Frame · 80+ mph
If the HX-1 is the workhorse, the Aedes MD is the mosquito. Ultra-light, ultra-fast, fully 3D-printable as a single part on any consumer printer. Built on the same 5-inch FPV platform class that Ukraine proved most effective and most producible. A skilled builder can complete three in a day. No machining. No specialized tools. Just a printer, a soldering iron, and a kitchen table.
Key Numbers
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X-configuration quadcopter at 250mm wheelbase — the same class as the drones Ukraine produces fastest and cheapest. Mature ecosystem, proven design.
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5-inch propellers on 2306-class brushless motors deliver a 5:1 thrust-to-weight ratio. Top speed exceeds 80 mph. Launch-to-deployment in under 60 seconds.
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Ultra-compact body houses a single flight controller, 4-in-1 ESC stack, GPS, and receiver — entire electronics package smaller than a deck of cards.
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No folding arms required at this size — the entire drone fits in a standard 12” x 12” x 6” box. A builder can produce and ship a completed unit in a flat-rate USPS box.
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Identical arm geometry means each of the 4 arms is the same print file. One builder can specialize in arms alone, another in bodies — true distributed sub-assembly.
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2 lb snap-fit payload bay on the underside belly. Payload attaches with a single thumb-lever latch — deployable in the field without tools.
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Full airframe height is 35mm excluding props. Extremely low profile reduces aerodynamic drag and radar cross-section.
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FPV camera mounted at 30-degree forward tilt for high-speed flight orientation — same configuration used by every effective Ukrainian battlefield drone.
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Battery mounts flush with the top body panel — standardized XT60 connector, hot-swap in under 10 seconds. A builder can keep 4 batteries cycling and maintain near-continuous operation.
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Total platform weight without payload: approximately 380g. With 2 lb payload: ~1.3 kg. Well within 5-inch motor performance envelope.
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Monocoque body and integrated arms print as a single part on any printer with a 200mm x 200mm build plate — the most common consumer printer size available.
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Print time for complete frame: 4–6 hours in PETG at 0.2mm layer height. Material cost per frame: under $8 in filament.
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Zero fasteners required for frame assembly — motor mounts, camera mount, and battery tray all snap or press fit. A builder with no prior drone experience can complete a frame in under 2 hours.
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Total build time (frame + electronics install + calibration): 6–8 hours for a first-time builder. Under 3 hours for an experienced builder. Experienced network builders can produce 2–3 complete units per day.
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No specialized tools required: 3D printer, soldering iron, heat gun, and a screwdriver set. Equipment already owned by most of the Aedes builder base.
Aedes MD — Full Specifications
Reference specification — subject to refinement through production validation pilots.
Non-Weaponized Platform
All systems produced through the Aedes Network are non-weaponized. The HX-1 is an ISR, communications, mapping, and logistics platform. Any use of Aedes-produced systems for weapons delivery, weapons integration, or prohibited applications is a violation of the Builder Network Agreement, the Aedes Terms of Service, and applicable federal law. Violations are referred to appropriate authorities. See our Compliance Policy and Regulatory Disclaimer.