Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • SnapShot achieves test flight milestone

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
ODU RT

“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
LEDsynergy partners with LEDX Technology

Aerospace Defence Security

LEDsynergy partners with LEDX Technology

8 May 2026

Andover based LEDsynergy, a long-established UK manufacturer of LED display solutions, has announced a strategic manufacturing partnership with India’s LED display manufacturer LEDX Technology, marking a significant step forward in its global production strategy.

Vision Engineering to showcase high-tech solutions at Smart Factory Expo

Aerospace Defence Events

Vision Engineering to showcase high-tech solutions at Smart Factory Expo

8 May 2026

UK based designer and manufacturer of high-tech ergonomic optical and digital inspection, metrology systems and bespoke engineering solutions, Vision Engineering Group, has revealed its expansive showcase for the upcoming Smart Factory Expo, taking place next month at the NEC in Birmingham from 3rd-4th June 2026.

ADS supports SMEs reinforcing UK defence capability

Defence Events

ADS supports SMEs reinforcing UK defence capability

8 May 2026

ADS recently hosted 'The Future Starts Small' in partnership with RC Fornax, bringing together SMEs, MoD stakeholders and defence leaders for a focused discussion on the future of UK defence capability.

Belfast boosts FSS programme

Defence

Belfast boosts FSS programme

7 May 2026

Navantia UK today welcomed Commodore Sam Shattock RFA, Commodore Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Rear Admiral Matthew Stratton, Director Naval Acquisition, to its Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast to see progress on the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) programme.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Royal Navy uses tech for operational edge in Information Warfare

Defence Events

Royal Navy uses tech for operational edge in Information Warfare

7 May 2026

Navy Digital – the Service’s experts in digital capabilities, skills and Information Warfare – and other specialists from across the Royal Navy, teamed up with industry partners to test off-the-shelf cutting-edge technology that, when linked together, creates a ‘mesh network’ which can be deployed to enable front line operations.

MoD awards £6m eLoran concept contract to Team Elaris

Defence

MoD awards £6m eLoran concept contract to Team Elaris

7 May 2026

QinetiQ-led Team Elaris has been awarded a £6 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) to develop a deployable solution concept for enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLoran).

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner