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A Callisto in flight along a birch forest and over coastal water, then the view straight down from it as it descends onto a gravel pad

Callisto

The Callisto is the heavy-lift aircraft family Freespace designs and manufactures in Australia, flown by Juno. Three configurations, the 25, 50 and 75, carry up to 33 kg on one architecture.

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Aircraft

Callisto 50

The Callisto 50 from a quarter view, studio photograph

Quarter

  • Built in Australia.

    Carbon fibre and aerospace-grade aluminium. The airframe weighs 15.2 kg with its landing legs and is rated to 52 kg take-off weight.

  • Modular by design.

    Arms interchange between the 25, 50 and 75: one training pathway and one set of spares across three payload classes.

  • A payload interface, published.

    STANAG 4694 accessory rails with a 12 mm carbon-tube adapter. Two regulated 0 to 24 V supplies at 10 A, main-battery power to 1.0 kW, and serial, SBUS and CAN data.

  • Runs on Juno.

    Juno Core, included with every new Callisto. Enterprise, Government and Defence capabilities extend it for the work.

MTOW
52kg
Payload
26kg
Endurance
40+min
C2 range
20+km
In service
100+
Fleet hours
10,000+
Flying low over a white beach and a river mouth, then hands fitting a RIEGL LiDAR beneath a Callisto

Built for the conditions it works in.

Designed to IP54 and rated for rain to 10 mm/h. −20 °C to +45 °C. Sustained winds to 15 m/s (54 km/h).

Data

Callisto 50 Specifications

Range, defined.

Two range figures appear on this site and they are not the same number. Mission radius is how far the aircraft flies out and back on one battery with reserve, beyond visual line of sight: more than 10 km on the 50 and the 75, more than 5 km on the 25.

C2 range is the distance over which the command-and-control link is designed to hold: 20 km or more. Defence's Talisman Sabre release quotes a maximum operating range of 15 km for the configuration trialled.

The 20 km C2 figure holds in ideal conditions; with the heavier payloads the Callisto is designed to carry, battery energy keeps an out-and-back operating radius well short of it.

Callisto 50

Spec sheet

Units

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Callisto 50 specifications
SpecificationValue
MTOW52 kg
Maximum payload26 kg at 52 kg MTOW; up to 28 kg with the 16 Ah battery
Endurance40+ minutes, 40 Ah LiHV battery with no payload
Endurance at maximum payload12 minutes at 26 kg (22 Ah LiPo). Defence's Talisman Sabre release quotes 25 kg underslung, a maximum 40-minute flight time and a maximum 15 km operating range as separate maxima.
C2 range20+ km with direct line of sight, high-gain antenna package, good RF environment
Mission radius (out and back, BVLOS)>10 km
Cruise speed15 to 20 m/s (54 to 72 km/h)
Maximum speed>25 m/s (90 km/h)
AirframeX8 octocopter, 1.8 m, carbon fibre and aerospace-grade aluminium
Propulsion32-inch (810 mm) carbon fibre propellers
NavigationRedundant RTK GNSS; LiDAR terrain following
Command and controlRedundant, dual-frequency, designed for BVLOS operations
EnvironmentalDesigned to IP54; −20 °C to +45 °C
Payload mountingSTANAG 4694 accessory rails, with power and data interfaces
Proven payloadsLiDAR, imaging, gimbals, communications relay, hook and long-line. Payload partners
CertificationDesigned to meet CASA medium-category RPAS operational requirements. Freespace supports operators through their own approval and certification processes.

Endurance against payload

Callisto 50 endurance against payload, by battery
BatteryMinimum take-off weightMaximum payloadFlight time, no payloadFlight time, maximum payload
16 Ah LiPo23 kg28 kg27 min8 min
22 Ah LiPo26 kg26 kg33 min12 min
40 Ah LiHV32 kg20 kg46 min22 min

Flight times are to 20% battery remaining. Figures depend on payload, battery, mission profile and weather.

Software

Juno

Juno on a rugged laptop: a five waypoint mission route over farmland with the aircraft's heading
Included

Core

The ground control station Freespace develops for the Callisto.

A Callisto pulling a pilot line past a steel transmission tower against a blue sky

Enterprise

Capabilities for commercial heavy-lift work.

Two NSW Ambulance paramedics at a lookout, one pointing out across the valley to the ranges

Government

Observation, relay and resupply for government work.

An Australian soldier in camouflage preparing a Callisto in low outback scrub

Defence

Capabilities for Defence, supplied to approved customers.

Commercial

Procurement

  • Purchase outright

    The Callisto is available to buy outright, direct rather than through a finance intermediary, with lead time set against the configuration and the number of aircraft.

  • Lease, finance and hire

    Finance, lease, rent-to-own and hire, for the aircraft, Juno modules and equipment.

Range

Configurations

The Callisto 25 heavy-lift multirotor, arms and rotors extended

Callisto 25

Regulatory and training configuration

The same architecture as the Callisto 50, configured to operate below 25 kg maximum take-off weight. Operating approvals are simpler, the training pathway is shorter, and an operator can build currency on the 25 before moving to the 50. Arms interchange with the 50 and the 75.

Callisto 25 specifications
SpecificationValue
MTOW24.9 kg
Maximum payload6 kg
Endurance35+ minutes, no payload
Endurance at maximum payload14 minutes at 6 kg
C2 range20+ km
Mission radius (out and back, BVLOS)>5 km
Propulsion32-inch propeller system
Cruise speed13 to 15 m/s (47 to 54 km/h)
Maximum speed>20 m/s (72 km/h)
AirframeX8 octocopter, 1.4 m, carbon fibre and aerospace-grade aluminium
EnvironmentalDesigned to IP54; −20 °C to +45 °C
CertificationDesigned to operate under the CASA sub-25 kg category (FAA under 55 lb). Freespace supports operators through their own approval and certification processes.
Enquire
The Callisto 75 heavy-lift multirotor, arms and rotors extended

Callisto 75

High altitude configuration

The Callisto architecture with more lift: 42-inch propulsion, 75 kg maximum take-off weight, and up to 33 kg of payload. For a load heavier than one Callisto 50 can carry, where cooperative lift is not the right approach. Arms interchange with the 25 and the 50.

Callisto 75 specifications
SpecificationValue
MTOW75 kg
Maximum payload33 kg
Endurance40+ minutes, no payload
Endurance at maximum payload15 minutes at 33 kg
C2 range20+ km
Mission radius (out and back, BVLOS)>10 km
Propulsion42-inch propeller system
AirframeX8 octocopter, 2.2 m
Cruise speed15 to 20 m/s (54 to 72 km/h)
Maximum speed>25 m/s (90 km/h)
WindConstant wind rating to 15 m/s (54 km/h)
EnvironmentalDesigned to IP54; −20 °C to +45 °C
CertificationDesigned to meet CASA medium-category RPAS operational requirements.
Enquire

Reference

FAQs

  • What is the Callisto 50?

    The Callisto 50 is a heavy-lift multirotor drone designed and manufactured in Australia by Freespace Operations. It supports up to 25 kg payloads and is built for defence, industrial, and commercial applications.

  • What industries use the Callisto 50?

    Callisto 50 is used in defence, mining, logistics, infrastructure inspection, public safety, and disaster response — both in Australia and internationally.

  • What makes the Callisto 50 different from other drones?

    The Callisto 50 was initially developed for the Australian Defence Force (Jericho Project). Over the last six years continual engineering and software development has seen the Callisto 50 stand out as the go-to system for defence forces around the world and large-scale enterprise operations. Its rugged design and reliability make it ideal for challenging tasks and environments.

  • Can the Callisto 50 operate in extreme conditions?

    Yes. It's engineered for harsh environments, including high winds and variable weather.

  • Does the Callisto 50 support long-line or cargo delivery operations?

    Absolutely. It supports long-line and tethered cargo transport, making it a reliable choice for aerial logistics and resupply missions. A world first — Callisto 50 can now team with up to four Callisto 50 drones to provide a cooperative lift capability for heavier load operations.

  • What certifications does the Callisto 50 have?

    It is CASA-certified for commercial operations in Australia and supports compliance with international aviation regulations.

  • Is the Callisto 50 available internationally?

    Yes. Freespace Operations supplies and supports clients both domestically and globally across a range of sectors. We currently have customers across defence and enterprise in the US, Canada, India, Singapore, and ANZ.

  • Do you provide training and support?

    Yes. We offer full operational training, maintenance support, and integration assistance to ensure safe and effective deployment of our systems. We have partners AVIASSIST in ANZ for Callisto familiarisation training and ITPS for the North American market.

  • Can your systems be customized for specific missions?

    Yes. We provide custom payload integration and mission-specific configurations tailored to client needs.

  • How can I request a quote or demonstration?

    Please visit our Contact page to reach out. A member of our team will get back to you promptly with the information you need.

Coverage

Callisto in the news

News