Gap Drone: Advancing Sovereign Long-Range UAV Logistics

Gap Drone, based in Melbourne, is emerging as a leader in long-range UAV logistics. With its ATLAS-C platform, the company aims to redefine middle-mile logistics in Australia and abroad. Backed by $4 million raised to date and progressing rapidly through testing milestones, Gap Drone is demonstrating that sovereign aerospace innovation can deliver practical solutions for national and international logistics challenges.

Recent Milestones of Gap Drone

In August 2025, Gap Drone announced the successful completion of sub-scale trials for the ATLAS-C platform. These trials validated long-range communications, autonomous take-off and landing, and remote operations across extended distances and variable terrain. The results set the stage for full-scale testing, scheduled to begin in November 2025 across remote Queensland sites.

The roadmap now includes:

• Autonomous BVLOS operations with real-time telemetry

• Modular payload integration for logistics, medical, and infrastructure support

• ESG-aligned manufacturing partnerships with RMIT and One Composites

• Ongoing regulatory engagement with CASA and regional stakeholders

The company also plans a public demonstration event in early 2026, highlighting ATLAS-C’s role in advancing sovereign aerospace manufacturing.

Fundraising and Growth

Gap Drone has raised $4 million to date, primarily from Australian investors. This funding supports scaling engineering operations, advancing sub-scale to full-scale testing, and building commercial partnerships. Despite challenges in securing local venture capital, the company continues to attract interest from strategic backers who recognize the critical importance of sovereign, long-range UAVs.

Q&A with Liesl Haris, CEO of Gap Drone

Q: How much capital has Gap Drone raised so far, and how has this supported growth?

We’ve raised $4 million to date. That capital has been vital in scaling our engineering and commercial teams, completing sub-scale testing, and moving rapidly toward full-scale flight trials.

Q: What challenges have you faced raising capital in Australia?

Raising capital in Australia has been tough. There’s less venture appetite for frontier aerospace compared to the U.S. or Europe. That said, we’ve found aligned investors who share our vision and want to see sovereign technology succeed.

Q: How important is investor confidence to your ability to scale?

Investor confidence is critical. This sector is capital-intensive, and progress requires trust in both the team and the vision. Every milestone we hit—whether it’s sub-scale trials or regulatory engagement—reinforces that confidence.

Q: What’s next for Gap Drone in terms of partnerships and fundraising?

We’re finalizing a joint venture in India that will expand our manufacturing and operational capacity. At the same time, we’re preparing for our next fundraising round to support scaling after the full-scale test flights in November.

Q: What advice would you give other aerospace startups?

Focus on solving a problem customers desperately want solved. Don’t get distracted by building for the sake of building. Our approach has been customer-first, validated by engagement with defense, logistics, and government stakeholders from day one.

Core Technology and Products of Gap Drone

Gap Drone’s flagship platform is the ATLAS-C, a long-range UAV designed to address the “tyranny of distance” in logistics. Unlike many short-haul drones on the market, ATLAS-C is engineered to fly well beyond 1,000 kilometers, providing sovereign solutions for regions where conventional infrastructure struggles to deliver.

Key Features of the ATLAS-C:

• Long-Range Endurance: Capable of operating across extended distances, enabling reliable logistics between remote hubs.

• Autonomous Operations: Equipped with autonomous take-off, landing, and BVLOS navigation supported by real-time telemetry, reducing pilot workload and ensuring consistent mission execution.

• Payload Flexibility: Designed with modular payload bays, the ATLAS-C can carry cargo for medical, humanitarian, or defense applications. This adaptability makes it suitable for a wide variety of missions, from disaster relief to national defense logistics.

• Sovereign Manufacturing: All development and production is anchored in Australia, supported by partnerships with RMIT and One Composites, ensuring sovereign control over critical aerospace infrastructure.

• Sustainable Design Principles: The airframe leverages lightweight composites and efficient propulsion systems to maximize endurance while aligning with ESG standards.

In addition to the ATLAS-C aircraft, Gap Drone is developing an integrated operational ecosystem. This includes remote control stations for distributed fleet management, secure communications for contested environments, and support for modular mission kits. Together, these capabilities create a scalable framework for deploying UAV logistics at both national and international levels.

By pairing advanced autonomy with sovereign production, Gap Drone’s technology offers not just an aircraft, but a resilient logistics solution designed for modern supply chain challenges.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations

Gap Drone has advanced its ATLAS-C platform not only through engineering milestones but also through a growing network of partnerships. These collaborations strengthen its sovereign manufacturing capabilities, regulatory readiness, and international expansion.

Academic and Manufacturing Partnerships

Gap Drone is working closely with RMIT and One Composites, two organizations central to Australia’s aerospace and materials innovation. These partnerships support ESG-aligned manufacturing, ensuring that ATLAS-C is produced with sustainability in mind while also fostering homegrown technical expertise. By embedding itself within Australia’s research and manufacturing ecosystem, the company reinforces its commitment to sovereign capability.

Regulatory Engagement

As the ATLAS-C prepares for full-scale flight testing, Gap Drone is actively engaging with Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and regional stakeholders. This collaboration ensures compliance with emerging BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) standards and helps accelerate pathways for operational approvals. Such early regulatory alignment will be essential as the company scales from trials to widespread commercial deployment.

International Partnerships

Looking beyond Australia, Gap Drone has laid the foundation for strategic international collaboration. A joint venture in India is in development, reflecting the company’s ambition to bring long-range UAV logistics to diverse geographies with vast transport challenges. This partnership underscores Gap Drone’s potential to export Australian aerospace technology while adapting to regional market needs.

Public Demonstrations and Industry Engagement

Gap Drone also plans a public demonstration event in early 2026 to showcase the ATLAS-C’s full-scale capabilities. This milestone will not only highlight the platform’s technical maturity but also provide opportunities to engage with potential customers, investors, and government partners in a high-profile setting.

Why Gap Drone Is a Company to Watch

Gap Drone is building more than just an aircraft—it’s developing sovereign aerospace capability. With full-scale testing ahead, new international ventures, and clear investor backing, the company is positioning itself as a critical player in long-range UAV logistics.