Drone Safety: New Parachute System for the Matrice 400

The new AP100 parachute system for the DJI Matrice 400 significantly enhances operational safety through redundant hardware and autonomous flight termination mechanisms. With certification for Classes C5 and C6, the module meets critical regulatory requirements for complex missions. Operators benefit from seamless integration that enables legally compliant access to urban deployment scenarios and demanding infrastructure projects under strict European safety standards.

DJI has introduced the AP100 Parachute, a new safety system for the Matrice 400 enterprise drone. The tail-mounted module weighs 935 grams and is designed to significantly increase operational safety during complex missions. By integrating the system, operators can meet regulatory requirements for flights over populated areas as well as for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Safety Through Redundancy and Autonomy

The AP100 system operates as a standalone module that functions independently of the drone’s power supply. It has its own power source, which provides up to 1 hour of emergency power via two integrated capacitors. Continuous monitoring ensures that anomalies are detected in real time. Intelligent algorithms validate flight data between the drone and the parachute to minimize accidental deployments.

In an emergency, an independent flight termination system kicks in, cutting off motor power in less than 600 milliseconds and stopping the rotors before the parachute deploys. This prevents the lines from becoming tangled. The descent rate is less than 5 meters per second. After deployment, the system signals its location with loud alarm tones and high-intensity flashing lights for approximately 1 hour.

Certifications for Demanding Missions

With the AP100 parachute, the DJI Matrice 400 enterprise drone meets the operational safety requirements of both the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). More specifically, the DJI AP100 parachute can be mounted on an existing Matrice 400 to meet the Class C5 or UK5 operational safety requirements as applicable to STS-01. However, the C6 or UK6 classification applies only to factory-certified systems. This means that organizations must purchase the new DJI Matrice 400 (C6) Worry-Free Plus Combo package, which includes the AP100 parachute, to meet the Class C6 or UK6 requirements applicable to STS-02. In addition, the AP100 parachute can also facilitate compliance with requirements for standard scenarios, including flights over densely populated urban areas (STS-01) and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights (STS-02).

The introduction of the AP100 Parachute marks an important step, as it lowers the regulatory barrier for operations in urban areas and during complex BVLOS missions. By offering a certified solution for existing platforms, DJI enables operators to adapt their fleets to strict European and British safety standards without costly new purchases.