SkyRobot FX-Y

The SkyRobot FX-Y is a six-rotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) manufactured by the Norwegian firm Robot Aviation. Introduced in 2019, the hexacopter is designed primarily for military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and target acquisition roles. The system is notable for its mechanical redundancy and modular payload capacity, allowing it to operate from confined spaces or integrate with armoured vehicles and boats.

The aircraft features a Y-6 configuration, with six motors arranged in three coaxial pairs. This design provides redundancy, allowing the system to remain airborne if one motor or propeller is damaged during flight. According to Robot Aviation, the FX-Y can achieve flight times of just under 60 minutes when carrying standard payloads. The system has a maximum take-off weight of 12 kg and can carry up to 5 kg of payload, though endurance decreases with heavier loads; a 2 kg payload typically allows for approximately one hour of flight. For communications, the UAV supports standard commercial cellular radios or a 100 g high-end data link from Radionor, which extends the effective control range to 20 km or more with larger ground antennas. The system is compatible with open-source ground control stations such as Mission Planner and QGroundControl, as well as Robot Aviation’s proprietary SkyView GCS.

Sensor integration is a key feature of the FX-Y. It is commonly equipped with electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, such as those from NextVision. The platform’s versatility allows for specialized payloads; Robot Aviation has demonstrated the integration of radiation sniffers combined with cameras for georeferenced radioactivity surveys. The manufacturer emphasizes supply chain resilience, stating it sources components from within Europe where possible, including motors, propellers, and flight controllers. To further this independence, Robot Aviation operates its own composite production facility and leverages its parent company’s CNC machining capabilities to customize mechanical components.

Operator adoption of the SkyRobot FX-Y has been concentrated in European security forces. Lithuanian border control is a documented customer, operating 24 units as of early 2025. Robot Aviation trained 320 operators for the Lithuanian customer before the system began operations two years prior to that report. Romania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has also integrated the FX-Y into its emergency response capabilities. The system is currently in series production, indicating a shift from prototype development to sustained manufacturing. While the manufacturer highlights its utility for defence users, the platform’s modular nature allows for critical industrial applications beyond strict military use.