Hardware Stack

Table of Contents

Info

Looking for other vehicle types? This page covers drone hardware. For ground vehicles (cars, trucks, AGVs), see Ground Vehicle Platform. For a complete overview, see Supported Platforms.

Buy from a Local Shop

Drone building has a learning curve. Buy from a shop that can help you—they stock the hardware, we provide the fleet software.

When you purchase from a partner shop, you get:

  • Pre-tested hardware ready to connect
  • Local support from people who know drones
  • Access to our managed fleet infrastructure

Shops with Physical Locations

Visit a shop in person for hands-on help with your build:

🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates

DroneBay UAE 🏪🌐
Dubai
1 BOM components in stock
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🇦🇺 Australia

Sphere Drones 🏪🌐 coming soon
Sydney, NSW
Prisma Technologies 🏪🌐 coming soon
Melbourne, VIC
AUAV (Australian UAV) 🏪🌐 coming soon
Brisbane, QLD
UAV ME 🏪 coming soon
Sydney, NSW

🇩🇪 Germany

Copterfarm 🏪🌐 coming soon
Berlin

🇯🇵 Japan

SEKIDO 🏪🌐
Tokyo
1 BOM components in stock
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🇸🇬 Singapore

DroneWorld Singapore 🏪🌐
Singapore
2 BOM components in stock
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🇬🇧 United Kingdom

FlyingTech 🏪🌐 coming soon
London

🇺🇸 United States

GetFPV 🏪🌐 featured
Orlando, Florida
14 BOM components in stock
Visit Shop
NewBeeDrone 🏪🌐 featured
San Diego, California
4 BOM components in stock
Visit Shop
Drone Nerds 🏪🌐 coming soon
Miami, Florida
SparkFun 🏪🌐
Boulder, Colorado
6 BOM components in stock
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AMain Hobbies 🏪🌐
Chico, California
2 BOM components in stock
Visit Shop

🏪 = Physical store   🏪🌐 = Physical store + online ordering

Are you a drone shop? Join our partner program to offer fleet infrastructure with your hardware sales.

What You Need

KitComponentsTypical Sources
Complete DroneX500 frame, Pixhawk 6X, GPS, motors, ESCs, propsGetFPV, NewBeeDrone, Holybro
Companion ComputersRaspberry Pi 4 + Jetson Orin NanoDigi-Key, Mouser, SparkFun
Power & Batteries4S LiPo 6000mAh, power moduleGetFPV, Tattu, Amazon
RadiosExpressLRS receiver, SiK telemetryGetFPV, HappyModel, Holybro
NetworkingIndustrial ethernet switch, 5G modemPUSR, Quectel

View complete component list ↓

Hardware for Fleet-Scale Operations

Fleet operations demand hardware that balances capability with maintainability. Every component in this stack was chosen for production reliability, parts availability, and serviceability in the field.

Airframe

Holybro X500 V2 ARF

The Holybro X500 V2 provides an ideal platform for fleet deployment:

SpecificationValue
SKU30125
Wheelbase500mm
Frame Weight~410g (610g with motors/ESCs)
Max Takeoff Weight~2kg
Flight Time15-20 min (with standard payload)
Motor Mount16x16mm / 19x19mm
IncludedMotors (2216 KV920), ESCs (20A BLHeli S), Props (1045)

Why X500:

  • Proven design — Thousands deployed worldwide, extensive community knowledge
  • Parts availability — Arms, landing gear, and hardware readily available
  • Maintenance-friendly — Modular construction, field-serviceable
  • Payload flexibility — Sufficient capacity for dual companion computers plus sensors

The ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) kit includes frame, motors, ESCs, and propellers—reducing assembly variability across a large fleet.

Flight Controller

Pixhawk 6X

The Pixhawk 6X running PX4 v1.14 LTS handles all flight-critical functions:

SpecificationValue
Pixhawk 6XSKU 11073
BaseboardSKU 18117
AccessoriesSKU 15011 (cables & case)
ProcessorSTM32H753 (480MHz Cortex-M7)
IMUTriple redundant (ICM-42688-P, ICM-45686, BMI088)
BarometerDual (MS5611, ICP-20100)
MagnetometerIST8310
Interfaces3x CAN, 6x UART, SPI, I2C, PWM

Flight Controller Accessories

ComponentSKUPurpose
PM06 V2 Power Module15019Power sensing + 5V/3A BEC
Holybro M9N GPS12027GPS + compass module
GPS Mast12033Folding mast for interference reduction
Safety Switch & Buzzer12007Arm safety + audio alerts
Vibration Mount12010Anti-vibration damping
Cable Kit12055JST-GH/CAN cables

Why Pixhawk 6X:

  • Redundancy — Triple IMU, dual barometer for sensor voting
  • PX4 LTS support — Long-term stability, security patches
  • FMUv6X standard — Interchangeable with other compliant boards
  • Vibration isolation — Built-in IMU dampening

The flight controller handles:

  • Attitude estimation and control
  • Position hold and navigation
  • Failsafe behaviors (RTL, land, geofence)
  • RC input processing
  • MAVLink telemetry

Companion Computers

Fleet vehicles run dual companion computers with distinct responsibilities:

Raspberry Pi 4 / CM4 (Sensor Companion)

Handles lightweight sensor integration and data collection:

SpecificationValue
ModelRaspberry Pi 4 Model B
SKURPI4-MODEL-B-8GB
ProcessorQuad-core Cortex-A72 @ 1.8GHz
RAM8GB
StorageIndustrial microSD 128GB (SDSDQED-128G-GNSIN)
Power5V @ 3A typical

Responsibilities:

  • Environmental sensor drivers (temperature, humidity, air quality)
  • GPS/GNSS data logging
  • Camera capture (non-AI workloads)
  • MAVLink routing to Jetson
  • Store-and-forward when Jetson is offline

NVIDIA Jetson (AI Companion)

Handles compute-intensive workloads:

ModelSKUGPU CoresAI PerformancePower
Jetson Orin Nano 8GB ★900-13767-0000-0001024 CUDA40 TOPS7-15W
Jetson Orin Nano Super945-13766-0000-0001024 CUDA67 TOPS7-25W
Jetson Orin NX900-13767-0040-0001024 CUDA100 TOPS10-25W
Jetson AGX Orin900-13701-0000-0002048 CUDA275 TOPS15-60W

★ = Reference BOM selection

StorageSKUCapacity
NVMe SSDWD-SN530-256G256GB

Responsibilities:

  • Computer vision (object detection, tracking)
  • Visual-inertial odometry
  • Path planning and obstacle avoidance
  • Vehicle Gateway (NATS client)
  • NATS leaf node

Fleet deployments typically use Jetson Orin Nano for cost-effective inference or Orin NX for demanding perception workloads.

Radio Systems

RC Control: ExpressLRS

ExpressLRS provides the pilot override link:

SpecificationValue
ReceiverExpressLRS EP1
SKUHM-EP1-2400
Frequency2.4GHz
Range10km+ (depending on power/antenna)
Latency<5ms
ProtocolOpen-source (CRSF)

Why ExpressLRS:

  • Open-source — No vendor lock-in, community-driven development
  • Range — Reliable link for visual line-of-sight operations
  • Low latency — Responsive manual control when needed
  • Cost — Affordable receivers for fleet scale

Telemetry: SiK Radio

SiK 915 MHz radios provide ground station telemetry:

SpecificationValue
SKU17012 (100mW) / 17013 (500mW)
Frequency915MHz (US) / 433MHz (EU)
Range300m-2km (depending on power)
Data RateUp to 250kbps
InterfaceSerial (UART)
ProtocolMAVLink framing, FHSS

Role in Fleet:

  • Backup telemetry when cellular unavailable
  • Ground control station connectivity
  • Local testing and debugging

For production fleet operations, telemetry primarily flows through the Jetson’s cellular connection to NATS. SiK radios serve as backup and for field diagnostics.

Power System

Battery: 4S LiPo

SpecificationValue
SKUTAA60004S35
Configuration4S (14.8V nominal)
Capacity6000mAh
Discharge Rate35C
ConnectorXT60

Fleet Considerations:

  • Standardize on single battery configuration for logistics
  • Use smart batteries with telemetry when available
  • Implement battery rotation and health tracking
  • Plan for 3:1 battery-to-vehicle ratio for continuous operations

Power Distribution

ComponentSKUPurpose
PM06 V2 Power Module15019Power sensing + 5V/3A BEC
  • BEC — 5V regulated supply for Pi, servos
  • Jetson power — Direct from battery through regulator (12V typical)

Networking

ComponentSKUPurpose
Industrial Ethernet SwitchUSR-ES1053-port GbE between Pi, Jetson, payload

Enables high-bandwidth communication between companion computers and connected payloads (cameras, sensors).

Connectivity

Cellular: 4G/5G + eSIM

Each Jetson connects via cellular modem:

SpecificationValue
ModemQuectel RM520N-GL
SKURM520NGLAA-M20-SGASA
Bands4G LTE + 5G NR Sub-6GHz
SIMeSIM with OTA provisioning
InterfaceM.2 (USB 3.0 / PCIe)
Form FactorM.2 NGFF

eSIM Benefits:

  • No physical SIM swapping across large fleet
  • Remote carrier provisioning
  • Carrier switching for coverage optimization
  • Centralized subscription management

See Sensing platform for details on 5G/LTE connectivity architecture.

Full Bill of Materials

CategoryComponentSKU
AirframeHolybro X500 V2 ARF KitSKU30125
Flight ControlPixhawk 6XSKU11073
Flight ControlPixhawk 6X BaseboardSKU18117
Flight ControlPixhawk 6X AccessoriesSKU15011
PowerPM06 V2 Power ModuleSKU15019
NavigationHolybro M9N GPSSKU12027
NavigationGPS MastSKU12033
SafetySafety Switch & BuzzerSKU12007
CompanionRaspberry Pi 4 8GBRPI4-MODEL-B-8GB
StorageIndustrial microSD 128GBSDSDQED-128G-GNSIN
CompanionJetson Orin Nano 8GB900-13767-0000-000
StorageNVMe SSD 256GBWD-SN530-256G
RCExpressLRS EP1HM-EP1-2400
TelemetrySiK Telemetry Radio V3SKU17012
NetworkingIndustrial Ethernet SwitchUSR-ES105
PowerLiPo Battery 4S 6000mAhTAA60004S35
MountingPixhawk Vibration MountSKU12010
CablingHolybro Cable KitSKU12055
ConnectivityQuectel RM520N-GL 5G ModemRM520NGLAA-M20-SGASA

Component Sellers

View all sellers by component (57 items)

Showing all sellers worldwide. Select your country to see local options.

CategoryComponentSKUWhere to Buy
Holybro X500 V2 ARF KitAirframeHolybro X500 V2 ARF KitSKU30125
—
AirframeHolybro S500 V2 KitSKU30126
—
AirframeiFlight Nazgul5 V3 FrameIFLIGHT-XL5
Pixhawk 6XFlight ControlPixhawk 6XSKU11073
—
Flight ControlPixhawk 6CSKU-PX6C
—
Flight ControlCUAV X7+ ProSKU-CUAV-X7
—
Flight ControlCube Orange+CUBE-ORANGE
Pixhawk 6X BaseboardFlight ControlPixhawk 6X BaseboardSKU18117
Pixhawk 6X AccessoriesFlight ControlPixhawk 6X AccessoriesSKU15011
PM06 V2 Power ModulePowerPM06 V2 Power ModuleSKU15019
—
PowerPM07 Power ModuleSKU15020
—
PowerMatek HV Power ModuleMATEK-PMHV
Holybro M9N GPSNavigationHolybro M9N GPSSKU12027
—
NavigationHolybro M10 GPSSKU12028
—
NavigationHere3 GPS/RTKHERE3-GPS
—
Navigationu-blox F9P RTK ModuleUBLOX-F9P—
GPS MastNavigationGPS MastSKU12033
Safety Switch & BuzzerSafetySafety Switch & BuzzerSKU12007
Raspberry Pi 4 8GBCompanionRaspberry Pi 4 8GBRPI4-MODEL-B-8GB
—
CompanionRaspberry Pi 5 8GBRPI5-8GB
—
CompanionRaspberry Pi CM4 8GBRPI-CM4-8GB
Industrial microSD 128GBStorageIndustrial microSD 128GBSDSDQED-128G-GNSIN
—
StorageIndustrial microSD 256GBSDSDQED-256G-GNSIN
Jetson Orin Nano 8GBCompanionJetson Orin Nano 8GB900-13767-0000-000
—
CompanionJetson Orin Nano Super945-13766-0000-000
—
CompanionJetson Orin NX 16GB900-13767-0040-000
—
CompanionJetson AGX Orin 64GB900-13701-0000-000
NVMe SSD 256GBStorageNVMe SSD 256GBWD-SN530-256G
—
StorageNVMe SSD 512GBWD-SN530-512G
ExpressLRS EP1RCExpressLRS EP1HM-EP1-2400
—
RCExpressLRS EP2HM-EP2-2400
—
RCExpressLRS 900MHz RXHM-ES900RX
—
RCTBS Crossfire Nano RXTBS-CROSSFIRE
—
RCRadioMaster TX16S MK IIRM-TX16S
—
RCRadioMaster BoxerRM-BOXER
SiK Telemetry Radio V3TelemetrySiK Telemetry Radio V3SKU17012
—
TelemetrySiK Telemetry 500mWSKU17013
—
TelemetryRFD900x ModemRFD900X
Industrial Ethernet SwitchNetworkingIndustrial Ethernet SwitchUSR-ES105
—
NetworkingIndustrial Ethernet Switch 8-PortUSR-ES108
LiPo Battery 4S 6000mAhPowerLiPo Battery 4S 6000mAhTAA60004S35
—
PowerLiPo Battery 4S 4500mAhTAA45004S45
—
PowerLiPo Battery 6S 8000mAhTAA80006S25
—
PowerISDT Q6 Pro ChargerISDT-Q6
Pixhawk Vibration MountMountingPixhawk Vibration MountSKU12010
Holybro Cable KitCablingHolybro Cable KitSKU12055
Quectel RM520N-GL 5G ModemConnectivityQuectel RM520N-GL 5G ModemRM520NGLAA-M20-SGASA
—
ConnectivityQuectel RM500Q-GL 5GRM500Q-GL
—
ConnectivityQuectel EC25-G 4G LTEEC25-G
—
FPVCaddx VistaCADDX-VISTA
—
FPVCaddx Polar StarlightCADDX-POLAR
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FPVDJI O3 Air UnitDJI-O3
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FPVRunCam Phoenix 2RUNCAM-PHOENIX2
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FPVRunCam Thumb ProRUNCAM-THUMB
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FPVFoxeer Digisight V3FOXEER-DIGISIGHT
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SensorsTF-Luna LiDARTF-LUNA
—
SensorsLightWare SF45/BLIGHTWARE-SF45
—
SensorsPX4Flow Optical FlowFLOW-PX4—
—
SensorsLIDAR-Lite v3HPLIDAR-LITE-V3

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