ARK Electronics Launches ARKV6S Flight Controller: NDAA-Compliant, Made in the USA for Drones and Robotics
ARK Electronics has introduced the ARKV6S flight controller, a compact, U.S.-manufactured autopilot solution built on the open-source FMUV6X and Pixhawk Autopilot Bus (PAB) standards. Powered by an STM32H743IIK6 microcontroller running at 480 MHz, the unit supports both PX4 and ArduPilot firmware. Its NDAA compliance and industrial-grade sensor suite make it well-suited for government, defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure applications.
Highlights
- ARK Electronics launched the ARKV6S, a U.S.-manufactured, NDAA-compliant flight controller built on open-source FMUV6X and Pixhawk Autopilot Bus (PAB) standards.
- The ARKV6S is powered by an STM32H743IIK6 microcontroller running at 480 MHz, with 2 MB flash memory and 1 MB RAM for advanced autonomous operations.
- The unit integrates an Invensense IIM-42653 industrial IMU, Bosch BMP390 barometer, and ST IIS2MDC magnetometer for reliable sensing in demanding conditions.
- A dedicated 1W onboard heater maintains sensor performance in extreme cold-weather environments, improving measurement stability and system readiness.
- The ARKV6S supports both PX4 Autopilot and ArduPilot firmware and is compatible with any PAB carrier board, targeting government, defense, and critical infrastructure markets.
ARK Electronics Launches ARKV6S Flight Controller: NDAA-Compliant, Made in the USA for Drones and Robotics
ARK Electronics has officially unveiled the ARKV6S Flight Controller, a compact, domestically manufactured autopilot solution compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), designed specifically for unmanned systems developers.
Built on Open-Source Standards for Broad Ecosystem Compatibility
The ARKV6S is developed on the open-source FMUV6X and Pixhawk Autopilot Bus (PAB) specifications, combining industrial-grade sensing technology with wide ecosystem compatibility. The unit supports both PX4 Autopilot and ArduPilot — the two dominant open-source autopilot firmware platforms. It ships with PX4 pre-installed and can be configured for ArduPilot upon request.
By adopting the Pixhawk Autopilot Bus form factor, the ARKV6S integrates with any compatible PAB carrier board, enabling flexible deployment across a wide range of aerial and robotic platforms.
High-Performance Processing Core
At the heart of the ARKV6S is the STM32H743IIK6 microcontroller, delivering processing speeds of up to 480 MHz, paired with 2 MB of flash memory and 1 MB of RAM. This high-performance architecture provides the computational power required for advanced autonomous operation, sensor fusion, navigation, and mission execution.
Industrial-Grade Sensor Suite
The ARKV6S integrates a carefully selected combination of industrial-grade sensors to ensure reliable performance in demanding operational environments:
- Invensense IIM-42653 — Industrial inertial measurement unit (IMU)
- Bosch BMP390 — Barometric pressure sensor
- ST IIS2MDC — Magnetometer
Integrated Heater for Extreme Cold-Weather Operations
To enhance reliability in harsh environmental conditions, the flight controller incorporates a dedicated 1W heater that maintains sensor functionality in extremely cold temperatures. This feature improves measurement stability and system readiness in applications where sharp temperature variations could otherwise compromise sensor accuracy.
Additional Onboard Features
Further onboard capabilities include:
- Non-volatile FRAM storage
- LED status indicators
- MicroSD card slot for data logging and mission recording
Each ARKV6S ships with a MicroSD card included, allowing developers to begin logging flight data immediately out of the box.
NDAA-Compliant for Government and Defense Markets
Manufactured entirely in the United States, the ARKV6S is fully NDAA-compliant, making it an ideal choice for government, defense, public safety, and critical infrastructure applications that demand trusted supply chain provenance and regulatory compliance.
Combining open-source compatibility, industrial-grade sensing, a compact PAB form factor, and trusted domestic manufacturing, the ARKV6S offers drone developers and systems integrators a versatile flight control solution for next-generation autonomous platforms.
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