The Sprite is Ascent AeroSystems' compact, rugged coaxial UAS with a cylindrical airframe, originally launched via Kickstarter. Its all-weather coaxial twin-rotor design makes it portable and modular; it was the predecessor to the larger Spirit platform.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | VTOL / Hybrid |
| Subtype | Coaxial cylindrical compact drone |
| Role | Industrial / public safety ISR |
| Classification | Small commercial/industrial UAS |
| Mission | ISR, inspection, mapping, public safety |
| Variants | Spirit |
| Frame type | Helicopter / single-rotor |
| Propulsion | Electric (coaxial) |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Export status | Commercial |
| Launch method | VTOL |
| Autonomy level | GPS-assisted |
| Recovery method | VTOL |
| Year introduced | 2014 |
| Standard sensors | camera/EO payload |
| Production status | In production (succeeded by Spirit) |
| Airframe / lift type | Single-rotor / helicopter |
| Control / autonomy level | Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop), Waypoint / GPS-guided |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – civil | Inspection, Public safety / SAR, Survey / mapping |
| Mission / use case – military | ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Electric (LiPo / Li-ion) |
| Signature / detectability | GNSS-dependent |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class I – Small (20–150 kg) |