Amendment to:

APPENDIX D

HEX sUAS SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

sUAS Operating Overview: The Hex has been reviewed by the Department of Homeland 

Security (“DHS”) through the DHS Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety (“RAPS”) program and has 

an estimated 1,500 flight hours. 

Prioria’s Hex Flyer is a multi-rotor, vertical take-off and landing platform. It simplifies users’ 

installation and enables quick disassembling. Frame arm integrates with ESC and motor. With a 

Pixhawk autopilot system, it can achieve hovering, cruising and other flight elements. Hex Flyer 

can be applied for aerial photography and other aero-modeling activities. 

The basic airframe T810 is manufactured by Tarot-RC, leading manufacturer of consumer and 

commercial grade unmanned aerial systems.The T810 airframe is used extensively in TV and 

film industry as an aerial video/photo platform. Prioria performs all assembly and payload 

integration.

Parameter Characteristic

Wingspan (rotor top to rotor tip) 37 in

Height 12.6 in

Weight, with standard payload 16 lbs

Wireless Range 1 km 

Rate of Descent 3 m/s typical

Cruise Speed 8 m/s

Approach Speeds N/A

Operating altitude range 175 m (limited by SW)

Max wind 15 kts sustained, 20 kts gusting

Precipitation None

Flight duration 15-25 Minutes

Turn Rate 360 degrees in 12 seconds

Climb Rate 500 ft/min @ 2,000 ft MSL

Launch Vertical takeoff

Landing Vertical landing

Flight Control Autonomous or manual

Exterior lighting None

Command and Control Frequency 900 Mhz / 2.4 Ghz

Video Bands 5.1 – 5.8 Ghz

Audio notifications on UAV UAV arming and disarming
Operational Characteristics

Characteristic Yes/No

Lights Out Operation No

VFR Conditions Yes

IFR Operations No

Day Operations Yes

Night Operations No

Avionics Equipment

Equipment Yes/No

GPS Yes

Moving Map Indicator Yes

Tracking Capability No

ELT (Falcon Tracker) Yes

Transponder No

The sUAS can be operated in fully autonomous flight modes. Creating pre-planned flight paths 

to fly in autonomous mode is as simple as clicking on the map to create a preplanned flight 

path. Pre-mission waypoints, landing zone points, and flight area dimensions can all be entered 

during preflight, ensuring the sUAS operates only within specified parameters. Built-in intelligent 

fault handling allows the sUAS to detect a system fault while in the air, and to automatically 

respond with a set command (one such option being to fly back to a pre-selected rally point and 

land). Faults that can be detected include: loss of communication, loss of GPS, and low battery 

levels. 

Power – The Hex and its ground control station are both powered by a Lithium polymer 

rechargeable battery pack. A new battery has a fully charged voltage of approximately 25.1V. 

The Hex’s battery charge is displayed in real-time on the ground control station, ensuring 

maximum flight duration and safety. 

Launch and Recovery Procedures

The Hex Flyer utilizes vertical takeoff and landing, commanded either via Radio Control 

Transmitter or Automatic operation via Data Link and Mission Planning Software. In radio 

control (“RC”) mode, PIC uses GPS, Auto, or other modes via RC hand controller to maneuver 

aircraft for takeoff or landing, when desired. 

To utilize automatic operation, PIC sets GPS flight mode in RC Controller, then uploads flight 

plan to aircraft via Datalink. Once upload is complete, selecting “Auto” on the RC hand controller

activates auto takeoff and flight to first waypoint in flight plan. For landing, Hex automatically 
returns to its launch point and establishes itself at a predetermined altitude. Aircraft then 

executes slow descent automatic landing. 

Takeoff and Landing style/type– The Hex uses a vertical takeoff and landing style, 

commanded either via Radio Control Transmitter or Automatic operation via Data Link and 

Ground Station Software. R/C: PIC uses GPS, Attitude, or Manual modes via RC hand 

controller to maneuver aircraft for takeoff or landing. 

Automatic: PIC sets GPS flight mode in RC Controller, then uploads flight plan to aircraft via 

Datalink. Once upload is complete, selecting “Auto” on the RC hand controller activates auto 

takeoff and flight to first waypoint in flight plan. For landing, Hex automatically returns to its 

launch point and establishes itself at a predetermined altitude. Aircraft then executes slow 

descent automatic landing.

Navigation System – The Mission Planner Software uses Google Maps for live map imagery 

which can also be pre-cached for offline use in the field. Waypoints can be created before and 

during flight operation creating specific locations and sequences for the aircraft.

Maintenance – The Hex sUAS needs very little maintenance, and operators may perform most 

required maintenance in the field with the field repair kit 

Command and Control Systems- The Main Controller (MC) is the brain of the system. It 

communicates with the Inertial Measurement Unit (“IMU”), GPS/Compass, electronic speed 

controllers (“ESCs”), and RC transmitter to carry out autopilot functionality. The Main Controller 

has a USB interface for configuration and firmware updates via a PC. The IMU consists of one 

3-axis accelerometer, one 3-axis gyroscope and a barometer. It is used for sensing the attitude. 

The GPS/Compass module is for sensing the position and direction. The LED indicates different 

states of system. Specially designed for the Controller to convert the higher voltage of the power 

circuit to the lower voltage required for the receiver etc. It contains two regulated power outputs 

for the entire Controller system and receiver separately, a battery voltage monitor, and CANBus interfaces. 

Ground Control Station

Ground Station enables 3-D Map Way Points Editing, Flight Path Planning, Real-time Flight 

State Feedback and Auto Takeoff and Landing. Working with the autopilot system, GS not only 

ensures stable performance and safety of the aircraft, easy operation for the PIC, but also 

allows the aircraft to fly along the flight path set before or modified during the flight mission in 

the Ground Station software autonomously. 

Displayed on the Mission Planing Software: 

● Current position 

● Home position 

● Flight plan 

● Aircraft attitude 

● Altitude 

● Groundspeed 
● Compass reading/heading 

● Communication strength 

● Range from home 

● Bearing from home 

● Duration of current mission 

● Rate of climb 

● Mode of the aircraft 

● Battery level 

Emergency Procedures and System Failures 

Loss of Link– The sUAS does not need constant signal from the GCS to continue flying. 

Communications outages are detected by the system and are reported to the PIC. During the 

communication outage, the sUAS continues on its pre-determined flight path until a failsafe is 

triggered. Once a failsafe is triggered, the sUAS will perform in accordance with the failsafe 

conditions uploaded before launch. This is accomplished without input from the operator.