XTI Aerospace's Drone Nerds Business Adds Freefly Systems Alta X Gen2 Heavy-Lift Drone to Enterprise Portfolio
Rhea-AI Summary
XTI Aerospace (Nasdaq: XTIA) added Freefly Systems' Alta X Gen2 heavy-lift drone to Drone Nerds' enterprise portfolio, offering both standard and NDAA-compliant configurations for government and commercial operators. Key capabilities include a 35 lb payload capacity, next-generation autonomy, smart dovetail payload interfaces, LTE connectivity, and enterprise workflow tools. The Alta X Gen2 and NDAA variant are available for pre-order via Drone Nerds' enterprise sales channel.
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Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
XTIA was down 6.51% while peers were mixed: SIF up 0.63%, SIDU down 11.89%, CVU down 2.69%, PRZO down 7.02%, KITT down 4.63%, suggesting a stock-specific move rather than a uniform sector trend.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30 | LiDAR portfolio expansion | Positive | -5.1% | Added Freefly FLUX LiDAR payloads to Drone Nerds’ enterprise offerings. |
| Jan 29 | Product portfolio add | Positive | -5.4% | Introduced DJI RS 5 gimbal stabilizer to Drone Nerds’ online lineup. |
| Jan 26 | AR product expansion | Positive | +6.4% | Expanded into XREAL augmented reality glasses and accessories. |
| Jan 22 | Strategic town hall | Positive | +5.0% | Announced investor town hall on Drone Nerds growth roadmap and UAS strategy. |
| Jan 22 | Board appointment | Positive | +5.0% | Elected drone-focused executive Clinton J. Weber to the board. |
Recent Drone Nerds product and strategic announcements often triggered sizable moves, with both positive and negative reactions, and some divergence where seemingly positive news preceded share price declines.
Over the last few weeks, XTIA has repeatedly highlighted expansion of its Drone Nerds platform. On Jan 22, 2026, it framed a strategic inflection via a town hall and a board addition focused on drone expertise, both followed by +5.03% moves. Subsequent portfolio additions—XREAL AR on Jan 26, DJI RS 5 on Jan 29, and FLUX LiDAR on Jan 30—produced mixed reactions, from -5.38% to +6.38%. Today’s heavy-lift Alta X Gen2 addition fits this pattern of rapid UAS ecosystem build-out.
Regulatory & Risk Context
An effective S-3 shelf dated Jan 15, 2026 registers up to 18,031,466 shares for resale by existing stockholders tied to a prior PIPE, warrants, advisory stock and merger consideration. The company is not selling shares or receiving proceeds, but the filing itself notes potential stock price pressure from these resales and ongoing Nasdaq listing compliance challenges.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement expands XTI Aerospace’s Drone Nerds platform into heavy-lift, NDAA-compliant drones via the Freefly Alta X Gen2, adding 35 lb payload capacity and enterprise-focused workflows. It builds on recent LiDAR, gimbal and AR additions, underscoring a strategy to serve regulated government and industrial operators. At the same time, filings highlight resale registration for up to 18,031,466 shares and prior net losses, so investors may watch execution on UAS growth against these capital structure and profitability headwinds.
Key Terms
ndaa regulatory
national defense authorization act regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
Next-generation Alta X drone delivers enhanced autonomy, smart payload integration, and enterprise workflow support, with standard and NDAA-compliant configurations
The Alta X Gen2 represents the next evolution of Freefly Systems' Alta X platform, combining the heavy-lift Alta X airframe with the flight controller, smart payload interfaces and workflow integration introduced with Astro Max.
"Adding the Alta X Gen2 to our enterprise portfolio expands the options available to customers who require high payload capacity, extended endurance and flexible payload integration," said Jeremy Schneiderman, CEO of Drone Nerds. "Plus, Freefly Systems' modular approach and the availability of both standard and NDAA-compliant configurations allow operators to deploy the platform across a wide range of operational and regulatory environments."
"The Alta X Gen2 was developed to support professional operators requiring heavy-lift capability and flexible payload integration," said Matt Isenbarger, Chief Revenue Officer at Freefly Systems. "Working with Drone Nerds helps make the platform available to enterprise and public sector customers, including those operating under NDAA requirements."
Enterprise-Ready Heavy-Lift Performance
The Freefly Systems Alta X Gen2 is a professional heavy-lift drone designed to support demanding payload and integration requirements.
Key platform capabilities include:
- Next-Generation Autonomy and Control: Powered by the same custom Skynode used in the Astro Max platform, supporting enhanced GPS resilience, precise navigation and integrated failsafe behavior
- 35 lb. Payload Capacity: Supports large cinema payloads, advanced sensors or multiple payload configurations with stable flight performance
- Smart Dovetail Payload Interface: Enables quick-connect payload options from Freefly Systems and certain other third-party developers, with expanded communication and power interfaces
- Industrial-Grade Airframe: Built on Alta X's carbon-fiber frame with a weather-resistant design and rapid, field-deployable setup
- Data-Driven Workflows: Integrated telemetry, mission planning tools and logging designed to support enterprise operations and inspection use cases
- Expanded Connectivity and Integration: Internal payload bay supports custom integrations with onboard Ethernet, regulated payload power and onboard Long Term Evolution ("LTE") for remote connectivity
NDAA-Compliant Configuration
In addition to the standard configuration, Drone Nerds will also offer the Alta X Gen2 (NDAA) drone for operators who must meet federal sourcing, security and procurement requirements.
Availability
The Freefly Systems Alta X Gen2 and Alta X Gen2 (NDAA) are available for pre-order through Drone Nerds' enterprise sales team. For more information, visit enterprise.dronenerds.com.
About XTI Aerospace, Inc.
XTI Aerospace, Inc. (Nasdaq: XTIA) is an aerospace technology company focused on the advancement of vertical flight. Through its Drone Nerds business, acquired in November 2025, XTIA is a premier provider of unmanned aircraft systems ("UAS"), solutions, services and hardware. Through its XTI Aircraft business, the Company is engaged in the development of advanced vertical takeoff and landing ("VTOL") aircraft with the range and speed of planes and the take-off and landing capability of helicopters.
For more information about XTI, please visit xtiaerospace.com and follow XTI on LinkedIn, Instagram, X and YouTube.
About Drone Nerds
Drone Nerds, LLC, a subsidiary of XTI Aerospace, Inc. (Nasdaq: XTIA), provides comprehensive drone solutions for enterprise, private and recreational needs. Established in 2014, Drone Nerds focuses on ensuring customers deploy the right UAS solutions for their unique operational requirements. Through its proprietary Always Flying™ program, Drone Nerds delivers enhanced reliability and assurance for enterprise implementations across industry verticals, including public safety, government, agriculture, construction, insurance, energy, inspection and more.
For more information, visit enterprise.dronenerds.com.
About Freefly Systems
Freefly Systems designs and manufactures professional-grade aerial platforms and payloads used in mapping, inspection and industrial applications. The company focuses on performance, reliability and workflow efficiency to support demanding aerial data capture operations.
For more information, visit freeflysystems.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements regarding the availability, operating performance, advantages and regulatory compliance of Freefly Systems products and the potential benefits of expanding Drone Nerds' product lineup.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "believe," "continue," "could," "would," "will," "expect," "intend," "plan," "target," "estimate," "project," or similar expressions. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such risks include, but are not limited to, limited control over development and availability of Freefly Systems' products, reputational or liability risks associated with offering third-party products, customer demand, market adoption, regulatory requirements, supply chain conditions, technological development, and changes in applicable laws or regulations. XTI undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers are encouraged to review the risk factors described in XTI's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings.
Contacts:
General inquiries:
Email: contact@xtiaerospace.com
Web: https://xtiaerospace.com/contact
Drone Nerds: marketing@dronenerds.com
Investor Relations:
Dave Gentry, CEO
RedChip Companies, Inc.
Phone: 1-407-644-4256
Email: XTIA@redchip.com
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SOURCE XTI Aerospace, Inc.