Flight Frame

Flight Frame – Modular Uncrewed Aircraft Platform, HARP-E System, Richmond Virginia

Core Services & Expertise

Flight Frame operates developing modular uncrewed aircraft platform addressing longstanding challenges in defense, logistics, and firefighting industries. Founded by team of experts with skills and experience to lead industry in creating new way of building and operating uncrewed aircraft with previous experience taking companies through pre-seed and growth stages, Army Special Operations Aviation background.

HARP-E platform aligns with industry demand for multi-mission, adaptable systems capable of keeping up with pace of innovation achieving sustainably low operating costs. Objective is minimizing costs both in operations and sustainment over time achieved by handling integration and certification enabling end-users to specify requirements and manufacturers to produce cutting-edge systems that all seamlessly integrate into single modular platform.

Whole Platform Modular Design: Host platform segmented into different system modules:
1) Powerplant Module (generates electricity for rest of platform),
2) Propulsion Module (generates thrust and flight control),
3) Avionics Module (controls communications, navigation, telemetry),
4) Airframe Module (provides structural support and mounting for all other modules),
5) Mission Module (built by Flight Frame, designed to accomplish specific mission),
6) Integration Module (built by Flight Frame, hub for all inputs and outputs to other system modules using Flight Frame’s common interface).

Modular design enables selection of appropriate systems for given mission set. If mission module’s payload has increased power requirement, more powerful powerplant module can be rapidly installed. As new powerplant technologies become available relevant modules can be swapped out to benefit from increased capabilities without need for major redesign of entire aircraft. Same true for sustainment support where mechanical issues resolved quickly through interchangeable modules kept on hand using fewer specialized tooling and precision measurement systems.

Geographic Reach & Capabilities

Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia (11 S 12th St., Suite 800, Richmond, Virginia, USA).

For system manufacturers seeking new markets or constrained by exclusivity deals with established OEMs, Flight Frame offers opportunity for direct sales of systems without being beholden to traditional development cycles. For aircraft operators seeking to minimize cost of air operations and simplify sustainment of aircraft, Flight Frame offers low-cost and high-readiness alternatives to crewed helicopters.

Flexible mission-adaptable platforms needed across multiple industries including defense, logistics, and firefighting. These missions traditionally performed via crewed aircraft subject to high cost, complex logistics, limited versatility, and rapid obsolescence.

Industry Credentials & Partnerships

Flight Frame maintains leadership through founding team with extensive aerospace and defense expertise.

Benjamin Butterworth, Chief Executive Officer: 12 years’ experience leading rapid development and employment of emerging technologies within Army Special Operations at Aviation Technology Office. 21 years of experience in military aviation and helicopter aircrew with Marine Corps, Army Special Operations, and over 10 different aircraft. FAA Airframe & Powerplant licensed and Project Management Professional. B.S. in Project Management from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, MBA from MIT Sloan.

Konstantinos Fetfatsidis, Chief Operating Officer: Successfully founded and exited VC-backed startup in automated manufacturing. Leadership experience through various stages of companies (pre-seed to growth stages). Significant experience leading & working on innovative aerospace & defense programs (>$100M in contracts w/ Air Force, NASA, DARPA, FAA). B.S., M.S., and PhD in Mechanical Engineering from UMass Lowell, MBA from MIT Sloan.

Daniel Christie, Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer: 18 years’ experience in aviation including design, analysis, product development, rapid prototyping, and systems integration. Director of Engineering for Leidos Airborne ISR. Sr Engineer of Advanced Concepts division at Blue Origin developing in-space infrastructure for lunar permanence and vehicle development. Mission Commander for Special Operations commercial aerial platform. B.S. Aerospace Engineering, NC State Raleigh.

Dynamic Balance Control System (DBCS): Patented solution to provide stability and safety to aircraft never before possible. System monitors flight control inputs and other systems to dynamically allow aircraft to operate with maximum control and power efficiency during all phases of flight including emergencies. DBCS being developed as stand-alone product to ensure everyone can benefit from this technology even those who aren’t flying HARP-E platforms.

Client Benefits & Advantages

Clients selecting Flight Frame benefit from revolutionary modular aircraft platform providing comprehensive uncrewed aviation solutions:

• Modular Open System Approach: MOSA principles enable system modules upgraded or maintained independently and off-wing maintaining high operational readiness rates
• Rapid Module Replacement: Interchangeable modules resolve mechanical issues quickly using fewer specialized tooling and precision measurement systems
• Low Operating Costs: Sustainably low costs through simplified operations and maintenance versus traditional crewed helicopters
• Technology Agnostic: Common interface allows system manufacturers to build complete modules independent of established OEM restrictions
• Mission Adaptability: Whether firefighting, cargo transport, or shipping container movement HARP-E adapts to specific customer needs
• High Readiness: Off-wing module maintenance minimizes downtime maximizing operational availability
• Innovation Access: Manufacturers produce cutting-edge systems without traditional development cycle constraints enabling additional revenue streams
• Patented DBCS: Dynamic Balance Control System provides unprecedented stability and power efficiency during all flight phases
• Expert Team: Founders with Army Special Operations, MIT Sloan MBAs, FAA certifications, Blue Origin, Leidos experience validate technical capability
• Direct Sales Opportunity: System manufacturers access new markets without exclusivity restrictions

These capabilities combine to create revolutionary uncrewed aircraft solutions focusing on modularity, low operating costs, and mission adaptability redefining how aircraft are built and operated.

Quick Facts:

• Location: Richmond, Virginia
• Platform: HARP-E modular uncrewed aircraft
• Design: Whole platform modular (6 system modules)
• Technology: Patented Dynamic Balance Control System (DBCS)
• Markets: Defense, logistics, firefighting
• Founders: Army Special Operations, MIT Sloan MBAs, >$100M defense contracts, Blue Origin, Leidos experience
• Approach: Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) principles

Contact Details:

Email: contact@flightframe.us
Address: 11 S 12th St., Suite 800, Richmond, Virginia, USA
Website: www.flightframe.us

Location