FIXAR Stands Out: The Making of Reliable, Resilient, and Autonomous UAVs

July 24, 2025

In the ever-growing world of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), FIXAR stands out for more than the company’s striking triangular drone designs or ability to fly where others can’t. At the center of this innovation is Vasilii Fainveits, whose journey from figure skating prodigy and ACES-class drone pilot to founder and CEO has shaped FIXAR into a company that redefines what drones can do – and who can use them. FIXAR’s story is one of technical audacity, relentless refinement, and a vision to make drones not just smarter, but truly accessible and dependable for the most demanding missions.

From Skater to ACES-Class Drone Visionary

The path of FIXAR CEO, Vasilii Fainveits, to drone entrepreneurship is anything but ordinary. Before drones, he was a figure skater, a discipline that honed his sense of balance, precision, and artistry. But it was his immersion in “remote control combat games” – where he became one of Europe’s best pilots – that set the stage for his future in UAVs. “When you create these models, you need not just develop, but also to pilot,” he said. Fainveits can pilot helicopters, multi-rotors, airplanes, first person view and general aviation aircraft. And his experiences weren’t just about flying – but rather about pushing the boundaries of what unmanned systems could do. As an ACES-class judge and European Drone Combat Games champion, Fainveits developed a deep appreciation for both the artistry and the engineering behind flight – a duality central to FIXAR’s ethos.

FIXAR: Fixed-Angle Rotor, Fixed on the Future

The name “FIXAR” is more than just a brand – it’s an acronym for “Fixed-Angle Rotor,” and describes the company’s signature technology. As Fainveits explained, “We don’t transmit from multi-rotor to airplane mode. We designed one system that combines both. FIXAR VTOL systems don’t transit because they don’t need to. They are quadcopters and fixed-wing UAVs at the same time.”

The FIXAR team focuses on radical simplification. Rather than relying on complex, failure-prone mechanical transitions, FIXAR UAVs use this fixed-angle rotor design, controlled entirely by software. The company’s focus on “software-first autonomy,” as Fainveits described it, additionally sets FIXAR apart. “Where everyone else is controlling the modes of flight by hardware, we do that by software,” he said. His vision was to make an actually reliable, efficient system – “a platform ready to perform where others fail” – and that’s exactly what he and his team did. FIXAR has become a global brand with partners in over 25 countries. (See FIXAR’s company and products presentation here).

Building from Software Up: The 007 and 025

Fainveits’ vision was clear from the outset: “Make drones that are simple, reliable, and safe – so intuitive that anyone can use them.” The journey began with the FIXAR 007, a drone that immediately caught attention for its effectiveness and seamless integration of software and hardware. “Build the software and the hardware will come,” Fainveits noted, emphasizing that the software would be the command and control center that dictates everything from flight dynamics to mission execution.

The company’s evolution continued with its 2024 release of the FIXAR 025 – featuring its striking, aerodynamically efficient and unique triangular design that sets it apart in both form and function. It is a larger, more capable platform designed to push the boundaries of endurance, payload, and operational flexibility. Both models are united by a common thread: a proprietary autopilot and mission control system that manages every aspect of flight, from takeoff to landing, with minimal human intervention. (Read prior AUVSI coverage of FIXAR here).

Autonomy and Safety: The Core of FIXAR’s DNA

For Fainveits, “autonomy and safety are inseparable.” He explained, “For me, autonomy equals safety. Less human intervention means the more robust and reliable the system is.” For this reason, FIXAR’s software stack is layered. At the low level, real-time decision-making algorithms ensure stability and responsiveness, while at the high level, AI-driven data processing enables complex mission planning and adaptation to changing conditions.

FIXAR’s layered approach to navigation is a game-changer. By relying primarily on inertial navigation and computer vision, and using GPS only as a supplementary input, FIXAR drones can continue their missions even when external signals are lost or compromised. “FIXAR does not rely on radio communication systems to fly and to implement the missions. Why? Because it’s an autonomous system. It flies autonomously. It has all the 3D terrain mapping, the brains of the unit, which is flying,” Fainveits explained.

This architecture allows FIXAR drones to operate in environments where GPS is unreliable or unavailable. “Our system relies on inertial measurement units (IMU), of which we have at least two by default. The additional GPS sensors are just that – additional,” he noted. This resilience is further enhanced by computer vision navigation systems and surface tracking with LIDAR. This combination makes FIXAR drones uniquely suited for GPS-denied operations. This means that in the event of jamming or spoofing, the system will continue working, using the IMU. It will continue the flight.

The Triangular Design: Aerodynamics Meets Function

The distinctive triangular wing of FIXAR 025 is not just for show. Developed through extensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) modeling, this aerofoil allows the UAV to glide efficiently and ensures that almost every part of the airframe generates lift. “That triangular wing actually enables the UAV to glide, so long as the center of gravity is placed correctly… 92% of the body of FIXAR 025 generates lift force during level flight,” Fainveits explained.

The blended-wing body in the center of the triangle houses avionics, batteries, and payloads, which preserves the aerodynamic profile while maximizing internal volume for mission-critical hardware. The result is a platform that is both efficient and robust. The corners of the triangle serve as landing struts for added practicality.

Advanced Composites: Lightweight, Durable, and Efficient

FIXAR’s commitment to durability and efficiency is evident in its choice of materials. The UAVs are constructed from Kevlar™, carbon fiber, and fiberglass – a combination that delivers strength without unnecessary weight. This lightweight construction allows the 007 NG to carry up to 28% of its maximum takeoff weight as payload, while the 025 achieves an industry-leading 40%. Both models remain under the critical 55-pound threshold, which makes them compliant with regulatory requirements and safer for operations near people and infrastructure.

Operational Excellence: High Altitude, Harsh Climates, and Beyond

Operational versatility tops the list of the many things that truly make FIXAR drones stand. The FIXAR 007 NG has demonstrated stable, autonomous flight at altitudes exceeding 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) above sea level, enduring temperatures from -22°F to 140°F and navigating unpredictable mountain weather. In these extreme environments, where many drones fail to even take off, the FIXAR 007 NG executed a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) mission with precision and reliability, collecting quality telemetry data throughout.

The FIXAR 025, with its up to 3.5-hour flight time, up to 300 km (186 mi) flight distance, and 58 km/h (36 mph) cruising speed, is equally adept at tackling long-range missions across challenging terrain. The ability to carry multiple payloads – such as gimbaled cameras, deliveries, LiDAR, and mapping sensors – further enhances its utility for public safety, law enforcement, industrial inspection, agriculture, and logistics.

FIXAR’s UAV Solve Market Pain Points

From the market perspective, FIXAR addresses several persistent challenges that have limited the adoption and operational effectiveness of drones in commercial and public sector applications.

Replacing Manned Aviation with Smarter, More Economical UAVs

Traditional aerial data collection often relies on manned aircraft, which come with significant costs, logistical hurdles, and safety risks. FIXAR’s UAVs provide a compelling alternative by offering strong unit economics: they deliver high-quality data per flight hour at a fraction of the operational overhead. There’s no need for runways, hangars, or full-scale aircraft maintenance. Missions can be launched quickly, even in remote or unprepared environments. With extended flight distances and swappable payloads, FIXAR drones bring the flexibility and performance that modern operations demand, making aerial data collection more accessible and cost-effective.

Trust, Compliance, and Regulatory Confidence

Operating drones BVLOS remains a major goal for many organizations, but it requires regulators to trust that the UAV can operate safely and predictably without constant human oversight. FIXAR stands out by not relying on open-source software or external cloud connections for its core functions. Its autopilot and mission control system are fully developed in-house, giving FIXAR complete control over how the drone behaves in critical situations. This proprietary approach not only enhances safety and predictability but also provides a clear pathway to regulatory compliance, which is essential for scaling BVLOS operations.

Real-World Logistics: Simplicity, Portability, and Modularity

Many end-users – public safety teams, utility operators, law enforcement, and others – require drone systems that are easy to carry, quick to deploy, and adaptable to a range of missions. FIXAR’s modular gondola design allows operators to swap payloads in minutes and pack the entire system into a standard case, making it practical for field use. This real-world usability means teams can respond rapidly to emerging needs, whether it’s inspecting pipelines, surveying crops, or supporting emergency response, without being bogged down by complex setups or fragile hardware.

These solutions remain central to why FIXAR stands out in the increasingly crowded UAV landscape.

The Short of It: Why FIXAR Drones Stand Out

FIXAR drones distinguish themselves from other VTOLs in several key ways:

• Fixed-angle rotor design: No mechanical transition, fewer moving parts, and greater reliability.
• Software-driven autonomy: Proprietary autopilot and mission control enable true hands-off operation, including in GPS-denied environments.
• Aerodynamic efficiency: Triangular blended-wing design ensures every surface generates lift, maximizing endurance and payload.
• Material excellence: Advanced composites keep the drones lightweight yet robust.
• Operational resilience: Proven performance at extreme altitudes, in harsh climates, and under electronic warfare conditions.

What’s Next for FIXAR

Looking ahead, FIXAR is poised for its commercial rollout of the 025 model across North America, with a focus on public safety, law enforcement, and industrial sectors. The company is also pursuing Blue UAS certification to meet stringent government supply chain and security standards, and is integrating new payloads for even greater mission flexibility. The next generation of its original model, the 007 LE (Long Endurance), features longer wings, stronger motors, and upgraded batteries to extend flight time further, in direct response to customer demand for longer missions.

As Fainveits and his team continue to refine their platforms, the FIXAR story remains one of vision, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of practical autonomy. In a crowded field, these UAVs don’t just fly – they truly stand out.

Watch FIXAR on the recent Dawn of Autonomy.

To schedule a demo flight, email FIXAR at: events-team@fixar.pro