Intel Falcon 8

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Falcon 8
AsctecFalcon8.jpg
AscTec Falcon 8
General information
Type Camera drone
National originGermany/United States
Manufacturer Ascending Technologies (later Intel)
History
Manufactured2009–present
Introduction date2009

The AscTec (later Intel) Falcon 8 is a series of octocopter camera drones originally released by the German company Ascending Technologies (AscTec) in 2009. Intel continued to produce the Falcon 8 after acquiring Ascending Technologies in 2016.

Contents

Design and development

Serial production of the Falcon 8 began in 2009. [1] The Falcon 8 is an octocopter intended for aerial photography, with its eight motors being arranged on a V-shaped frame to keep them out of the camera's view. [2] The drone has a stabilized gimbal which is compatible with cameras from several manufacturers, including Sony (α7R, α6000, HDR-PJ810E, and NEX-5N), Sigma (DP1 Merrill), and Panasonic (Lumix DMC-TZ71), as well as a FLIR Tau 640 thermal camera. [2] [3] The Falcon 8 is capable of carrying a 0.75 kg (1.7 lb) payload has a maximum flight time of 20 minutes with a standard payload. [2] By January 2016, the Falcon 8 was capable of using the AscTec Trinity autopilot system with a triple-redundant inertial measurement unit. [1] That same month, Ascending Technologies was acquired by Intel. [4] That July, Intel demonstrated a modified Falcon 8 with RealSense cameras at the Farnborough International Airshow, during which it performed a visual inspection of an Airbus airliner. [5]

In October 2016, Intel released an updated version as the Falcon 8+ for the North American market. [4] [6] [7] The Falcon 8+ has a payload capacity of 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) and is controlled with a weatherproof Intel Cockpit controller. [4] [8] Among the payloads compatible with the Falcon 8+'s three-axis gimbal include a Sony α7R camera with a Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA lens. Power is provided by two Powerpack 4000 batteries, giving the drone a maximum flight time of 26 minutes with no payload or 16 minutes with a maximum payload. [9] [10]

Variants

Falcon 8
Original variant with a payload capacity of 0.75 kg (1.7 lb). Later versions have an AscTec Trinity autopilot system with a triple-redundant IMU. Powered by a 6250 mAh Powerpack 6250 battery, giving it a flight time of 20 minutes with a standard payload. Released in 2009. [1] [2] [3]
Falcon 8+
Improved variant with a payload capacity of 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) and powered by two Powerpack 4000 batteries, giving it a maximum flight time of 26 minutes with no payload or 16 minutes with a maximum payload. [10] Released in October 2016. [4]

Specifications (Falcon 8+)

Data from Intel Falcon 8+ UAS User Manual [10]

General characteristics

Performance

Avionics

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Bringing a New Level of Intelligence to UAVs". www.gim-international.com. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Unmanned Octocopter System for aerial imaging: aerial photography, aerial videography, industrial inspection, remote sensing www.asctec.de". Ascending Technologies GmbH. Archived from the original on 2013-03-27. Retrieved 2013-05-13.
  3. 1 2 AscTec Professional Line (PDF). Ascending Technologies. 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Vincent, James (2016-10-12). "Behold, the first drone with Intel outside". The Verge. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  5. ↑ "Intel: Taking the Lead in Commercial Drones". www.commercialuavnews.com. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  6. ↑ Schroth, Frank (2016-10-12). "Intel Enters Enterprise Drone Market with the Falcon 8+". DRONELIFE. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  7. ↑ Mlot, Stephanie (2016-10-12). "Intel's First Branded Commercial Drone Is Ready to Fly". PCMAG. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  8. ↑ Mack, Eric (2016-10-13). "Intel unveils its own commercial drone, the Falcon 8+". New Atlas. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
  9. ↑ Parakala, Akshara (2022). Janes All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned 2022–2023. Janes Information Services. p. 325. ISBN   9780710633989.
  10. 1 2 3 Intel Falcon 8+ UAS User Manual (Version 2.3) (PDF). Intel. May 2018.
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