Our Mission – Powering the Future of Industrial UAV Solutions
At Freespace Operations, our mission is clear: to deliver world-class heavy lift multirotor systems that empower industries to overcome their most challenging aerial logistics and payload capability challenges. We specialise in industrial drone solutions that are purpose built for mission critical applications across commercial enterprise, defence and public safety sectors.
Backed by rigorous engineering and a relentless commitment to innovation, we design Australian Made drones that are more than just tools they’re trusted operational assets. Our platforms are engineered for performance, reliability and flexibility in the harshest environments with safety always fully factored.
Our Story – From Local Experts to Global Innovators
Freespace Operations was founded in 2019 by engineers Ken King and Leonard Hall, both with hands on experience in drone development, advanced engineering, and mission operations. What began as a collaboration between two Australian innovators has evolved into a globally recognised UAS manufacturer.
Ken King, CEO & Co-Founder trained as a multi-disciplinary Mechanical, Electrical and Building Services Engineer with over 15 years of experience delivering complex & high spec commercial building projects. In 2016, as founder and Managing Director, he set up Eirobotix, a UAV engineering & ReOC holding operations company supporting UAV platforms up to 150kg MTOW. Ken holds a CASA RePL (Remote Pilot Licence) in multirotor, aeroplane, and VTOL / Powered Lift categories.
Leonard Hall, CTO & Co-Founder is an award winning & highly respected expert in electrical, electromagnetic and RF engineering. He began his career with his own consultancy, Freespace Solutions, and later became the Senior Millimetre Wave Technology Researcher at the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation being the Lead Scientist on the Nulka Project. Leonard has deep expertise in antenna design, radar, and RFIC/MMIC systems, and is a lead control developer for the open-source ArduCopter project—contributing cutting-edge flight control innovations.
Today, we are known for our heavy lift multirotor drones, spearheaded by the flagship Callisto 50 & further accompanied in the aircraft family by the Callisto 25 and Callisto 75, which lead the market in lift capacity, modularity, and field durability. Our reputation as Australian drone innovators comes from both our engineering first mindset and our open source contributions to Ardupilot, an advanced autopilot system.
What Sets Us Apart – Engineering Without Compromise
What makes Freespace Operations different is our uncompromising engineering philosophy:
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- 100% Australian-made drones — Designed, built, and tested entirely in Melbourne with R&D supported in Adelaide.
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- Heavy lift UAV specialists — Purpose-built for complex industrial and defence missions.
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- Field-proven platforms — Operational in real-world maritime, defence, mining and infrastructure projects.
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- Modular, custom drone systems — Flexible configurations for mission-specific payloads and workflows.
We don’t just build drones, we solve real world problems with precision engineered autonomous aerial systems.
Built for Industry – Who We Serve
Freespace Operations serves but is not limited to the following industry sectors:
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- Maritime Defence and Commercial Logistics: Freespace is a world leader in ship operation logistics technology, offering heavy lift drones that support ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore-to-ship logistics whilst underway. These capabilities are vital for naval operations, offshore industries, and isolated commercial infrastructure requiring secure, efficient, and autonomous aerial transport.
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- Defence and Tactical Operations: Our Defence Drones are being tested to support heavy lift cargo resupply logistics via low-profile resupply, ISR (Inspection Surveillance Reconnaissance) & REA (Rapid Environmental Assessment) using encrypted meshed network radio & SATCOM systems.
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- Mining and Resource Sectors: Our Mining Drones enable autonomous logistics, site mapping, asset inspection, advanced scanning capability & remote delivery across vast operations sites.
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- Infrastructure and Inspection Services: Our Infrastructure Inspection Drones provide safe, efficient, and repeatable infrastructure & asset inspection drone capabilities.
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- Emergency Services and Disaster Response: Our disaster response drones are used for HADR (Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief) aerial resupply, SAR (Search and Rescue), area mapping, situational awareness with persistence monitoring & as a comms system relay in disaster zones.
Our drones are designed to integrate into existing workflows with minimal friction delivering advanced drone technology when and where it’s needed most.
Designed in Australia – Engineered for the World
All Freespace Callisto series platforms are engineered and manufactured in Melbourne, Australia. Our local production ensures:
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- Full control over quality and regulatory compliance
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- In country operations for fast turnaround on servicing, maintenance and support
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- Unmatched reliability and responsiveness by the OEM from Melbourne, Australia for our clients & customers
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- Custom configuration & autopilot capability development
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- Local test, evaluation & flight demonstration capability
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- Proven performance in harsh Australian field conditions the Callisto series is operational across a range of extreme environments, from sub-zero temperatures in Canada / Antarctica to humid and excessive heat in India / Queensland
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- CASA-compliant UAVs suitable for commercial and defence use
We have a team of specialist engineers with diverse engineering backgrounds and global experience in an ever expanding workforce.
Our Team – Expertise You Can Trust
Our leadership and engineering team is composed of some of the most respected drone experts in the industry. Co-founders Ken King (CEO) and Leonard Hall (CTO) with Richard Hall (COO) bring decades of experience in engineering, defence systems, technical & operational support in relation to UAV manufacturing, design & mission capability.
We’ve cultivated a company culture focused on UAV technology innovation, cross-functional collaboration, and continuous improvement. Whether it’s solving a novel engineering challenge, contributing to open-source control systems or pioneering heavy lift drone capability the Freespace team leads with integrity and technical excellence.
The Road Ahead – Leading the Next Generation of UAV Systems
At Freespace, we’re committed to constant evolution of our UAV technology
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- Next-gen UAVs with longer flight times & higher performance
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- Integration of hybrid ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) drone power systems
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- Persistent operations capability via a 6kW Ground Power Tether System
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- ‘ShipOps’ capability for maritime operations whilst underway
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- ‘Co-operative Lift’ capability, advanced Teaming & ‘Crane Mode’ operations
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- High altitude capability operating at >6,000m AMSL
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- Advanced slung line operations capability including powerline stringing, line tensioning & towing
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- Advanced autopilot & high power management systems
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- Custom autopilot firmware, flight modes & discrete automation
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- Enhanced BVLOS capability with encrypted mesh network RF comms systems, SATCOM & 4G/LTE connectivity options
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- Onboard network switch & companion computer processor
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- Enhanced autonomy and cooperative lift capability
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- Field swappable sensor and payload modules
We’re building the future of cutting-edge UAV technologies—today.
Contact Our Experts – Let’s Build the Right Solution Together
Every operation is different. That’s why we offer custom drone solutions tailored to your specific needs. Whether you’re looking to solve a supply chain challenge, reduce risk to improve safety, increase efficiency or reduce costs, our team of heavy lift drone experts is here to help.
Let’s solve your toughest challenges. Speak to a drone expert today.
Email: info@freespaceoperations.com
Website: www.freespaceoperations.com
