UAS engineering studio · early-stage project

We design drones around the mission. Not the other way round.

B · Hive is an engineering studio dedicated to custom unmanned aircraft: from the VTOL or fixed-wing airframe to the PX4 flight stack, through payload integration and the documentation to operate in the Specific category.

Explore the services Applications

Configurations

VTOL · Fixed-wing

Autopilot

PX4 & custom firmware

Payload & Edge AI

ROS 2 / Jetson

Approach

Geared toward EASA SORA

R&D in progress

We are currently developing in-house a VTOL tailsitter demonstrator, with a 3D-printed airframe and a PX4 flight stack, to validate our design approach in the field. It is our first testbed: see the progress here.

Standards & technology stack

Open ecosystems, safety-critical discipline

We build on mature, documented standards — PX4, ROS 2, MAVLink — combined with the methodological rigour of avionics and European regulations. Every item links to the official documentation.

EASA compliance

EASA Easy Access Rules for UAS

European regulations for the operation of unmanned aircraft in the Open and Specific categories (EU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945).

EU Regulation Docs

EASA compliance

JARUS SORA

Specific Operations Risk Assessment: the reference method for assessing and mitigating the ground and air risk of a UAS mission.

Risk Assessment Docs

Autopilot

PX4 Autopilot & MAVLink

The reference open-source flight control stack for multirotors, VTOL and fixed-wing aircraft, with MAVLink for telemetry and command.

Autopilot Stack Docs

Software / Middleware

ROS 2 Robotics Middleware

Framework for communication between autopilot, companion computer and payload sensors: onboard data processing, computer vision and SLAM.

Robotics Middleware Docs

Hardware & compute

NVIDIA Jetson Embedded AI

Edge computing platforms for computer vision, onboard AI inference and vision-aided navigation on unmanned aircraft.

Edge AI Compute Docs

Tools & simulation

Gazebo Simulation Engine

Physics simulation environment for Software-in-the-Loop testing of the flight stack before every field session.

Simulation Engine Docs

Safety & redundancy

DroneCAN & Cyphal

Digital bus standards for robust, redundant links to ESCs, actuators, GNSS and onboard sensors.

Digital Bus Docs

Tools & simulation

QGroundControl

Open-source Ground Control Station for mission planning, autopilot configuration and in-flight telemetry monitoring.

Ground Station Docs

What we do

Engineering services

All services

Bespoke drone design

The aircraft is built around the payload and the mission.

We design the aerodynamic, structural and propulsion configuration of multirotors, VTOL and fixed-wing aircraft starting from the real mission requirements, rather than adapting an off-the-shelf platform.

Configuration choice (multirotor, VTOL, fixed-wing) based on payload, endurance and altitude
3D airframe modelling and structural sizing
Propulsion and energy calculations, selection of motors, propellers and battery packs

3D modelling & structural analysis Technical 3D printing (carbon-filled nylon, PETG-CF) and composites CNC machining for critical parts

Details

Flight software & firmware development

From the PX4 stack to dedicated control logic.

We customise the PX4 ecosystem and develop tailored modules, control logic and fail-safe behaviours, with Software-in-the-Loop simulation backing every change.

Advanced PX4 configuration and tuning for multirotor, VTOL and fixed-wing
Custom modules and airframes, mixers and hover/cruise transition handling
Dedicated fail-safe logic: link loss, low battery, geofencing

PX4 Autopilot MAVLink & DroneCAN / Cyphal SITL simulation (Gazebo)

Details

Payload & edge computing integration

Onboard data processing, in real time.

We integrate companion computers (NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi) for computer vision, tracking, vision-aided navigation and low-latency streaming, with precise sensor synchronisation and georeferencing.

ROS 2 architecture for the dialogue between avionics, companion computer and payload
NVIDIA Jetson integration with onboard AI inference
Time synchronisation and data georeferencing (GNSS RTK/PPK)

ROS 2 NVIDIA Jetson & AI accelerators MAVLink Camera Protocol

Details

Ground station & training

The control interface, and the skills to run it independently.

We customise ground stations based on QGroundControl or web interfaces for planning, telemetry and video streaming, and support the client's staff until they are operationally independent.

QGroundControl customisation: screens, maps, operational parameters
Web interfaces and dashboards with real-time video and telemetry
Handling of direct radio links and 4G/5G cellular connectivity

QGroundControl MAVLink & control SDK Low-latency video streaming

Details

Integration & upgrade of existing platforms

New capabilities and open standards on an aircraft you already own.

We replace or integrate autopilot, payload and communication links on existing drones: migration to a PX4 stack, new sensors, updated connectivity and safety devices to operate in the Specific category.

Migration from closed systems to PX4 / ROS 2, with full data access
Integration of new-generation optical, thermal or LiDAR sensors
Installation of Direct Remote ID and, where required, flight termination systems

PX4 Autopilot Direct Remote ID Flight Termination Systems (FTS)

Details

Testing & compliance support

Bench tests, instrumented flight campaigns and operational documentation.

We set up and run the bench and flight tests, analyse the data and support the preparation of the documentation required for Specific-category operations (SORA / STS).

Bench propulsion tests: thrust, efficiency, thermal behaviour
Vibration checks and isolation of the avionics and gimbals
Instrumented flight campaigns with telemetry capture and analysis

Propulsion-group test bench Datalogging and flight-log analysis SITL simulation

Details

How we work

From requirements to field testing

A structured path toward an aircraft that is reliable, documented and usable independently by the client.

Requirements & feasibility

Mission profile, payload to carry, required endurance, operating environment, regulatory constraints and a preliminary risk assessment.

Design & simulation

Aerodynamic and propulsion configuration, 3D modelling, sizing and Software-in-the-Loop simulation of the flight stack.

Prototyping & integration

Airframe build, avionics assembly, flight-control tuning and integration of the payload and ground station.

Testing & handover

Bench tests, instrumented flight campaigns, technical documentation and operational support for the client’s staff.

After handover

Ongoing development

The platform isn’t frozen at delivery: you can contract the development of new features, integrations and improvements while you operate it in the field, with every update verified in simulation before release.

Our philosophy

Why a custom drone, and not an adapted off-the-shelf platform.

Closed platforms force compromises on weight, interfaces, endurance and the ability to modify. Our method starts from the payload and the mission constraints, relies on open standards to avoid vendor lock-in, and factors in regulation from the very first line of the spec.

The 4 pillars of the method

Let’s talk

Have an airborne mission to accomplish?

Tell us about the payload, endurance, operating environment and regulatory goals: we’ll give you an honest technical read on feasibility.

Request a feasibility review info@b-hive.it