Development and manufacturing of modular unmanned drone systems Made in Germany for security and defense.
HIGHCAT GmbH
KonstanzNew on Amplifa
Technology that protects
HIGHCAT GmbH, based in Konstanz, develops, manufactures and operates unmanned drone systems for the protection of people and critical infrastructure. At its core is a modular UAV carrier platform whose payloads, data links and battery systems can be exchanged during ongoing operations. The ecosystem furthermore includes the FLICK camera payload, interchangeable ZOOMIE 33 battery packs, secure data link modules (RF, Fly-by-Fiber up to 50 km, SATCOM/5G), ground control systems as well as onboard edge AI for object detection and GNSS-denied navigation. Production takes place in Germany with a high degree of vertical integration – from frame design to the printed circuit board – and is scalable through a partnership with a leading German automotive supplier. Customers are public safety authorities and rescue teams in Europe as well as public-sector institutions; the systems are deployed among other places in Ukraine. All international deliveries are subject to European export control regulations and are reviewed by BAFA.
- Site
- Konstanz
- Processes
- Modular UAV platform with interchangeable payloads, Interchangeable battery systems (ZOOMIE 33), Secure interchangeable data links (RF, Fly-by-Fiber up to 50 km, SATCOM/5G), Ground station and tactical controllers (Samsung S11, INSTINCT MINI 01), Onboard edge AI: object detection, tracking, GNSS-denied navigation, Fly-by-Fiber data transmission
- Materials
- Modular drone platform, FLICK camera payload, ZOOMIE 33 battery system, CATALYST network router, Samsung S11 ground station, INSTINCT MINI 01 tactical controller
- Certificates
- BAFA export control
- Founded
- 2024
- Industries
- Defense, Public Safety, Critical Infrastructure, Inspection, Logistics/Humanitarian Aid, Reconnaissance/Surveillance
- 01
Development & Engineering
- 02
Manufacturing of the platform with vertical integration
- 03
Integration of payloads, data links and ground control
- 04
Testing & operational trials
- 05
Delivery and support
Technology & System Components
Modular drone platform
Carrier platform configured through interchangeable payloads for different missions.
FLICK camera payload
Plug-and-play EO/IR camera module with 3-axis stabilized gimbal and 30× optical zoom.
ZOOMIE 33 battery system
High-energy-density 1465-Wh battery packs with BMS, fast charging in under one hour and integrated preheating function.
CATALYST network router
Securely connects interchangeable data link modules to the aircraft.
Samsung S11 ground station
Tablet-based ground station for collaborative two-person operation.
INSTINCT MINI 01 tactical controller
Mobile controller with 6-axis control, connected via USB or Bluetooth.
Locations
Konstanz
DEHeadquarters / Production
System Components
Inside the production
Industries
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality & Compliance
HIGHCAT relies on efficient processes, rigorous testing and continuous learning; all international deliveries are made in compliance with European export control regulations (BAFA review).
| Evidence | Konstanz |
|---|---|
| BAFA export control |
Our History
- 2012
Start of unmanned systems development: multicopters, solar-powered aircraft, autonomous watercraft.
- 2018
Focus on large unmanned aerial systems; first full-scale prototype among other things for motorway bridge inspection.
- 2021
Startup program of the Technical University of Munich: autonomous container-based drone system as a replacement for selected police helicopter missions.
- 2022
Trip to Ukraine after the outbreak of war; focus on scalable long-range drones from European manufacturing.
- 2024
Founding of HIGHCAT GmbH; development, construction and operation of unmanned systems Made in Germany.