Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Aerospace Defence Security

SnapShot achieves test flight milestone

UK start-up, FlareBright Ltd, has achieved the significant milestone of 500 Test Flights of its new image capture drone, SnapShot.


SnapShot can take high‐quality aerial images in most weather and atmospheric conditions, with its hand‐portable and extremely robust equipment. It has a unique method of launch and flight. It is ballistically launched to a height of 100 metres then uses sophisticated and patent pending software to control a glide path and home to the user. The advantages of this are that it can fly in almost any weather or atmospheric conditions, and it isn’t affected by other electromagnetic signals.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Customer interest has been shown from law enforcement, the emergency services, industrial inspection companies, urban mapping and the defence sector.

Its development pathway involves numerous additional flights and grant funding for further wind tunnel, propulsion and manufacturing development with a first customer‐ready aircraft scheduled for delivery in late 2020.

The 500 test flights have taken 18 months. During the test flight programme there has been extensive learning of SnapShot’s performance and flight characteristics culminating in a highly predictable flight path in most weather conditions.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle

“The long and challenging journey from our first flight to regular and successful test flights has been exciting to watch. We’re looking forward to showing off SnapShot to our potential customers in the  very near future. We’re looking forward to Customer‐led prototype demonstrations by the end of this year.” says FlareBright’s CEO, Kelvin Hamilton.

The test flight programme continues.

FlareBright is a UK OEM of micro‐drones with specialist expertise in their software, control systems and electronics. It is a UK company founded by a team of successful entrepreneurs and engineers. Its key product, SnapShot, is an all‐weather instant image capture drone used by defence, the emergency services and for industrial uses. Chris Daniels, Chief Commercial Officer, FlareBright Ltd, will be highlighting the capabilities of the company's drone capabilities
at the Paris Air Show (18th-19th June).

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
UK Government invests in next generation of aviators

Aerospace

UK Government invests in next generation of aviators

12 December 2025

Projects to inspire the next generation of aviators across the UK are set to get a boost as the Government today announced a £750,000 boost to projects inspiring young people to explore careers in aviation.

ITA Airways adopts Iris tech

Aerospace Space

ITA Airways adopts Iris tech

11 December 2025

Viasat has announced that ITA Airways is being equipped with Iris technology, paving the way to trajectory-based operations which can cut emissions and enhance airline efficiency.

Stansted records busiest ever November

Aerospace

Stansted records busiest ever November

11 December 2025

London Stansted had its busiest-ever November as it prepares for what is forecast to be a record-breaking festive season.

Report highlights potential of hydrogen in aviation

Aerospace

Report highlights potential of hydrogen in aviation

10 December 2025

Rolls-Royce, easyJet, Heathrow and University College London Air Transportation Systems Lab (UCL ATSLab), have published a report highlighting how hydrogen-powered aircraft could enable European and UK aviation to cut carbon emissions while supporting future growth.

Advertisement
Leonardo animated rectangle
CAA publishes NERL final proposals

Aerospace

CAA publishes NERL final proposals

10 December 2025

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published CAP 3164, a statutory consultation on final proposals for modifications to NATS (En Route) Plc’s (NERL) air traffic services licence conditions in support of the creation of a new UK Airspace Design Service.

TCS joins Airbus’ Skywise Partner Programme

Aerospace

TCS joins Airbus’ Skywise Partner Programme

10 December 2025

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has joined the Skywise Certified Partner Programme created by Airbus and will be using its expertise in generative AI, digital twins and quantum computing to develop unique, scalable, Skywise-aligned solutions for operators in the aviation sector worldwide.

Advertisement
ODU RT