Enterprise Mapping Bundle
The Inspired Flight IF800 Tomcat paired with the Sony ILX-LR1 is a purpose-built aerial mapping system combining a US-manufactured, DIU Blue UAS-certified quadcopter with a 61-megapixel full-frame sensor — delivering survey-grade imagery for the most demanding professional workflows.
With up to 54 minutes of flight time, 3 kg payload capacity, and full ArduPilot compatibility, this bundle is designed for large-area photogrammetry, corridor mapping, and precision agriculture where image quality and compliance matter most.
40 min
Op. Time (1.5 kg Payload)
3 kg
Max Payload Capacity
Platform Overview
The IF800 Tomcat is Inspired Flight's flagship heavy-lift quadcopter, engineered and assembled in the United States and listed on the DIU Blue UAS Approved List — making it eligible for federal, defence, and critical infrastructure projects where commercial off-the-shelf drones may be restricted. Its open-source ArduPilot flight controller gives operators full access to mission planning, tuning, and integration with third-party payloads and ground control systems.
The Sony ILX-LR1 is the world's first interchangeable-lens camera built specifically for aerial and robotic platforms. Its 61-megapixel BSI Exmor R full-frame CMOS sensor, BIONZ XR processor, and Sony Camera Remote SDK integration make it the sensor of choice for operators who demand maximum ground sampling distance, low-noise imagery at altitude, and deep software compatibility for photogrammetry pipelines.
Key Features
61MP Full-Frame Imagery
The Sony ILX-LR1 delivers 9504×6336 pixel images from a BSI Exmor R full-frame sensor with ISO 100–32000, achieving ultra-high ground sampling distance for sub-centimetre mapping with fewer flight lines.
DIU Blue UAS Certified
The IF800 Tomcat is an approved platform on the US Department of Defense DIU Blue UAS list, enabling use on government, federal, and defence contracts where non-approved drones are prohibited.
Extended Endurance
With up to 54 minutes of maximum flight time and 40 minutes of operational flight time carrying a 1.5 kg payload, the IF800 enables large-area coverage in a single flight — reducing battery swaps and ground time on demanding projects.
Blue Herelink GCS
The included Blue Herelink Ground Control Station provides encrypted, long-range HD video and telemetry in a rugged, all-in-one controller — fully integrated with ArduPilot and compatible with Mission Planner and QGroundControl.
Heavy-Lift Payload System
Rated for up to 3 kg of payload at a 10.7 kg MGTOW, the IF800 carries full-frame cameras, multispectral sensors, and LiDAR payloads with headroom to spare — all on a 935 mm diagonal carbon-fibre frame designed for stability.
Sony Camera Remote SDK
The ILX-LR1 supports Sony's Camera Remote Toolkit API, enabling deep integration with mission planning software for precise trigger control, intervalometer settings, and real-time telemetry overlay in photogrammetry workflows.
Ideal Applications
🗺️ Large-Area Photogrammetry
The 61MP full-frame sensor and 40-minute operational endurance make this bundle ideal for mapping large land parcels, construction sites, and open-cast mines where maximum resolution and area coverage are equally critical.
🏛️ Government & Defence Surveys
DIU Blue UAS certification means the IF800 can operate on federal, military, and critical infrastructure contracts. Where Chinese-manufactured drones are excluded, the Inspired Flight platform is a trusted, compliant alternative.
🌾 Precision Agriculture
High-resolution full-frame imagery combined with ArduPilot's waypoint grid missions makes the IF800 + ILX-LR1 bundle a powerful tool for crop health assessment, irrigation planning, and field boundary mapping at scale.
🏗️ Infrastructure & Corridor Mapping
Whether surveying road corridors, powerline routes, or pipeline rights-of-way, the IF800's speed (up to 25 m/s), payload capacity, and wind resistance (10 m/s sustained) ensure efficient, reliable data capture in challenging field conditions.
Technical Specifications
| IF800 Tomcat Airframe |
|
| Empty Weight |
3.5 kg / 7.7 lbs |
| MGTOW |
10.7 kg / 23.5 lbs |
| Max Payload |
3 kg / 6.6 lbs |
| Max Flight Time |
54 min (no payload) |
| Operational Flight Time |
40 min (1.5 kg payload) |
| Max Speed |
25 m/s / 56 mph |
| Wind Resistance |
10 m/s sustained / 12 m/s gusts |
| Diagonal (motor to motor) |
935 mm / 36.8" |
| Dimensions (Unfolded) |
135 × 116 × 45 cm |
| Dimensions (Folded) |
38 × 48 × 19 cm |
| Flight Controller |
ArduPilot (open source) |
| Compliance |
DIU Blue UAS Approved, US-manufactured |
| Sony ILX-LR1 Camera |
|
| Sensor |
61MP BSI Exmor R Full-Frame CMOS (35.9 × 24mm) |
| Resolution |
9504 × 6336 pixels |
| ISO Range |
100 – 32000 |
| Image Processor |
BIONZ XR |
| Lens Mount |
Sony E-mount |
| Continuous Shooting |
Up to 3 fps |
| Weight |
242 g / 8.57 oz (body only) |
| SDK |
Sony Camera Remote Toolkit API |
What's in the Box
📷
1 × Sony ILX-LR1 Payload
🧳
1 × Rugged Transport Case
🇺🇸
US-Manufactured
Assembled in the United States by Inspired Flight
🛡️
DIU Blue Approved
Cleared for federal, defence & critical infrastructure use
📦
Expert Support
Backed by the Survey Tools Direct technical team
🚀
Open Platform
ArduPilot-based for full integration flexibility
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IF800 approved for government and defence contracts?
Yes. The Inspired Flight IF800 Tomcat is listed on the DIU Blue UAS Approved List, which means it can be used on US federal, military, and critical infrastructure projects where non-approved drones — including many commercially sourced platforms — may not be permitted.
What lenses are compatible with the Sony ILX-LR1?
The ILX-LR1 uses Sony's E-mount system, giving access to a wide range of Sony FE lenses. For aerial photogrammetry, fixed focal length lenses (e.g. 24mm, 35mm, 50mm FE) are typically recommended for optical consistency. Please contact us for lens recommendation advice.
What ground control software is compatible?
The IF800 runs ArduPilot and is compatible with Mission Planner, QGroundControl, and other ArduPilot-based ground station software. The Blue Herelink GCS supports all of these natively with integrated video feed and telemetry.
Can the Sony ILX-LR1 be triggered automatically during flight?
Yes. The ILX-LR1 supports the Sony Camera Remote Toolkit API, enabling precise electronic trigger control via ArduPilot's camera trigger commands. This allows automated grid mission captures with consistent overlap and accurate geotagging.
How does flight time change with the Sony ILX-LR1 payload?
The Sony ILX-LR1 body weighs just 242 g, which is well within the IF800's payload envelope. In practice, operators can expect operational flight times close to the 40-minute figure quoted for a 1.5 kg payload, depending on mission altitude, speed, and conditions.
Does this bundle include a lens for the Sony ILX-LR1?
This bundle includes the Sony ILX-LR1 camera body only — no lens is included. Sony E-mount lenses are sold separately. Please get in touch with our team for advice on the best lens pairing for your specific survey requirements.
Ready to Elevate Your Aerial Survey Capability?
The IF800 Tomcat + Sony ILX-LR1 bundle is in stock and ready to ship. Our team can advise on lens selection, integration, and deployment for your specific project requirements.
Contact Our Survey Specialists
