Open-source payload systems for Arrow UAV platforms.
This repository is the home for community-designed payload attachments that interface with Arrow drones — starting with Quiver, and expanding to cover any Arrow platform that uses the standard attachment interface.
Arrow's drone platforms are designed from the ground up to be modular. The airframe is a carrier; the payload is the mission. This repo exists to:
- Document the payload attachment interface standard so anyone can design compatible payloads
- Host design briefs, specifications, and build documentation for community payload projects
- Coordinate development across contributors and track progress from concept to flight-ready
If you have an idea for a payload, or want to contribute to one already in progress, this is the place.
| Platform | Attachment Interface | Power Available | Data Interfaces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quiver (PT3+) | Quick-release, 3× mounting points (bottom + 2× side) | 12V switched, 12V always-on | Ethernet, CAN, UART, PWM (FMU_CH1) |
| Quiver Mini | Bottom-only, Quiver-compatible interface V1 | 6S-derived (TBD) | TBD |
| Future platforms | To be defined | — | — |
The standard payload connector is a 12-pin MOLEX locking header (part #2077601281, mating #2045231201). A 10-pin 2.54mm header variant is also supported.
| Pin | Function | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 3 | ETH_RX+, ETH_RX- | 100BASE-T Ethernet |
| 5, 7 | ETH_TX+, ETH_TX- | 100BASE-T Ethernet |
| 2, 4 | 12VSW | Switched 12V (FC-controlled on/off) |
| 6 | +12V | Always-on 12V |
| 8 | FMU_CH1 | PWM output from flight controller |
| 9, 10 | CAN1_P, CAN1_N | CAN bus |
| GND | GND | Common ground |
The Attachment Interface PCB design files (KiCAD schematic, layout, gerbers, BOM) live in the project-quiver repo.
Power budget guidance:
- 12VSW is controlled by the flight controller — payloads should handle clean enable/disable
- For payloads requiring 5V (e.g. Raspberry Pi): use an onboard buck converter (Mean Well SD-25B-05 or equivalent, rated for 60V+ input on Quiver's 14S system)
- Total payload power draw: design within ~25W per interface (conservative; verify against Main PCB limits before exceeding)
The following payload types have been identified by the Arrow community as high-value targets. They range from near-term buildable to longer-horizon R&D.
| Payload | Status | Thread |
|---|---|---|
| Multispectral Camera | Design brief complete, community discussion open | #multi-spectral-camera |
These payloads have detailed requirements written and are ready for someone to pick up.
| Payload | Description | Requirements Doc |
|---|---|---|
| Universal Cargo Container | Fixed or deployable cargo pod; stackable, manually transportable | project-quiver |
| General Aerial LiDAR | Nadir/forward LiDAR scanner; ≥32 channels, ≥20Hz, ≥1cm accuracy @ 100m | project-quiver |
| Ground Target Machine Vision | On-board ML inference for target ID/counting; KML/KMZ output | project-quiver |
| Standard Magnification Camera | 3-axis gimbaled; ≥1/2" sensor, 24mm + 85mm+ focal lengths | project-quiver |
| General Stabilized Sensor Carrier | 3-axis gimbal; 1/4-20 mount; 5–8kg capacity; follow-focus optional | project-quiver |
| High Capacity Flood Light | ~train-light brightness; 45–60° beam; 4000–4500K; flash/breathe modes | project-quiver |
These are on the community radar but have no active development yet. The full source list (with detailed descriptions and requirements for each) is the possible attachments document in project-quiver.
| Payload | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Universal Cargo Container | Fixed or releasable; aerodynamically optimised; stackable; may include aux storage/control interface |
| Surface Water Sourcing System | 10–12L pump + container; shore/water-surface landing capability; instant water tester optional; extended intake arm |
| Payload | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Standard FPV Camera | Fixed (non-gimbaled); ≥720p @ 45fps video TX; no image crop/timing modification; vibration damped |
| Standard Magnification Gimbaled Camera | 3-axis gimbal; ≥1/2" sensor @ 30fps; dual-sensor (≈24mm + ≥85mm equiv. FL); switchable video feed |
| Multispectral Imagery System | RGB + NIR; synchronous shutter; sunlight (downwelling) sensor on top; optional nadir 3-axis gimbal |
| Advanced IR Optical Gas Imaging Camera | 3-axis gimbal; ≈50mm equiv. FL; ≥25fps; sensitivity covers common industrial/petrochemical gases |
| General Stabilized Sensor Device Carrier | 3-axis gimbal; 1/4-20 mount; 5–8kg capacity; follow-focus + signal outlet optional |
| Standard Geiger-Mueller Counter | 2+ sensors for cross-reference; cosmic ray background shielding; high vibration protection; obstacle avoidance pairing |
| Ground Target Machine Vision System | On-board compute (RPi/Jetson); target sort by size/shape/color/spectral; raster-to-vector; KML/KMZ output |
| Payload | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Low Altitude Magnetic Anomaly Sensor | Zero/minimal ferrite components; distancing pylon from airframe; multi-axis compass + fusion algorithm; stable heading during flight |
| Compact Synthetic Aperture Radar | High-precision GNSS + IMU + PPS timing; ≥1m resolution @ 2km; SDR-configurable frequency and scan direction |
| General Aerial LiDAR Scanner | High-precision GNSS + IMU + PPS; ≥32 laser channels @ ≥20Hz; ≥1cm accuracy @ 100m; optional nadir 3-axis gimbal |
| Sentinel LiDAR (stationary full-dome) | Mounts on top of airframe; full-dome coverage while landed; integrates Leica BLK-class scanners; GNSS integration; RGB coloured point cloud output |
| Aerial Water Body Sampling System | Deploys/retrieves from aircraft; surface water collection; optional in-flight analysis; close-water risk mitigation |
| Payload | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Airborne Speaker | Directional; ≥200m range; live voice / pre-record / TTS; multi-speaker option |
| High Capacity Flood Light | Train-light-class brightness; 45–60° beam; 4000–4500K; flash/breathe modes |
| General Fishing Equipment | Buoy/water-landing system; remote-controlled gear; downward 3-axis gimbal; emergency cutoff; waterproof (storm-rated) |
| Aerial Pellet Spreader | Seeds/fertiliser/granules; capacity sensor; centrifugal or cyclonic dispersal; anti-blockage design; rain/moisture proof |
| Multi-Purpose Robotic Arm | Multi-joint, foldable; side-mountable; minimal CG shift; safety switch + emergency detach |
| Tethering Converter | Ground AC → stable onboard DC; backup battery for emergency landing; tether wear protection; optional signal/substance conduit |
| Airborne Electrical Warfare System | SDR-controlled ISM + GNSS jamming; directional PCB panel antenna; standing-wave protection; 915MHz/1.2GHz backup control link (significant regulatory considerations) |
| Payload | Key Requirements |
|---|---|
| Arrow Airframe Parachute System (AAPS) | 100% reliability target; ballistic/pressure-launched; ≥20m minimum deployment altitude; maintenance-free design goal |
| Passive Propeller Defense System | Protects propellers from horizontal/diagonal terrain and object incursion; lightweight/composite; impact shock absorbing; non-frangible |
| Mechanical Comm-Link Extension (Antenna Tracker) | Directional PCB panel antenna; 2-axis gimbal (aircraft + ground); slip ring connectors; dual-pair failsafe option |
- Check the discussions — see what's already being designed before starting fresh
- Open a discussion — new payload idea? Start a thread and gather input before committing to design
- Follow the structure — when a payload is ready for a design brief, create a folder
payloads/<payload-name>/with aREADME.mdcovering: purpose, requirements, architecture options, BOM, and open questions - Interface compatibility — any payload targeting Quiver must respect the attachment interface pinout and mechanical envelope; reference the Attachment Interface PCB docs
payloads/
├── multispectral-camera/
│ ├── README.md ← design brief
│ ├── bom/
│ ├── cad/
│ └── firmware/
├── cargo-container/
└── ...
docs/
├── attachment-interface.md
└── power-budget.md
- Discord: #multi-spectral-camera and other payload channels in the Arrow server
- Arrow DAO: Payload development can be funded via Arrow grants & bounties
- License: Hardware and documentation in this repo is released under CERN OHL-S v2; software under Apache 2.0
This repo is maintained by the Arrow community. All are welcome.