With its successful C3 certification, starcopter’s HIGHDRA is one of the first drones in Europe to be fully approved under the new EU regulations for the “open category”. The system was developed by the Brunswick-based aviation technology company starcopter in close cooperation with Auterion, the world’s leading software provider for aerial, land and naval drones.
The platform uses the Auterion Skynode X as its central processing unit and is controlled via Auterion Mission Control. Together, the two systems create a powerful, standardized, and future-proof solution for commercial drone operations. “The C3 certification is a significant milestone – not just for us, but for the entire European drone market,” says Henner Niebuhr, CEO of starcopter. “We are proud to support starcopter in bringing one of Europe’s first C3-certified drone systems to market,” says Lorenz Meier, CEO of Auterion. “HIGHDRA showcases the power of open architectures and regional manufacturing. It is a great example of how European-built platforms can deliver compliant, scalable solutions without compromise – ready for real-world operations across different sectors.”
A system that sets new standards HIGHDRA was developed entirely in-house by starcopter – including the flight platform itself, PCB design, power distribution architecture and the battery system. The aim was to create a holistic European alternative to existing systems that is open, compatible and ready for practical use. Thanks to Auterion’s technology, HIGHDRA offers:
- Seamless integration of advanced flight control, navigation, and mission software
- Full compliance with EU regulations via standardized open software stacks
- Secure and reliable data handling through edge-based autonomy and European data sovereignty
- Remote operations and live mission updates via the Auterion Suite
Technology from the region – with international standards starcopter is a soaring deep tech startup based in Brunswick. The team includes engineers, software developers and drone pilots who are working with a strong focus on one goal: to introduce the next generation of European drone systems that scale commercial operations – robust, scalable, and ready for the market. The company has already received several local awards, significant investment, research grants and has established partnerships with industry leaders and technology partners. Launch event on 23rd of June – press invited The official market launch of HIGHDRA will take place on 23rd of June. Media representatives are invited to experience the system live, ask questions and gain exclusive insights into its development. Registration for the event is now open – we will be happy to arrange interview partners and presentations upon request.
About starcopter
starcopter GmbH develops modular, high-performance drone systems Made in Germany. The Brunswick-based startup combines deep technical expertise with a clear focus on usability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
About Auterion
Auterion provides the world’s leading open-source-based operating system for drones and autonomous systems. Its technology powers next-generation robotics across air, land, and sea – with a focus on secure, sovereign, and scalable solutions. Built around the PX4 ecosystem and a modular software stack, Auterion enables governments and enterprises to deploy interoperable systems at scale. Headquartered in Arlington (USA) and Munich (Germany), Auterion supports trusted drone programs globally.