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UAV industry

Wire solutions engineered for UAV

Pelican Wire delivers custom, high-performance wire solutions that are mission-critical for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). We specialize in producing fine-gauge, lightweight wires capable of withstanding high temperatures, ensuring reliable and efficient power and signal transmission within these demanding aircraft.

  • Fine gauge
  • High temperature
  • Custom cable
  • Prototype → production
Start an engineering conversationExplore UAV solutions
UAV drone in the sky

What are you trying to solve?

Engineering-first support

Bring us the application, not just a part number

Tell us the conditions your UAV application runs in: temperature, resistance, gauge, weight, flex life, shielding, insulation and manufacturability. Our engineers help you build the right wire around them.

  • Need a smaller OD or lower weight?
  • Need precise resistance per foot?
  • Need better flex performance?
  • Need higher-temperature insulation?
  • Need sensing and power in one cable?
  • Need prototype quantities first?

Short form

Tell us what you’re designing

A few details are enough to start. Attach a drawing or spec if you have one.

An engineer or sales specialist will review your application and follow up.

UAV · Capabilities

Build the right wire around the environment

Start with the capability closest to your application.

  • Resistance & heating wire

    Custom resistance values, heating applications and constructions for demanding thermal environments.

  • Thermocouple & sensing

    Temperature-measurement wire and cable designed around accuracy, gauge and insulation requirements.

  • Fine-gauge custom cable

    Compact constructions engineered to reduce weight, save routing space and combine functions.

  • Prototype to production

    Engineering collaboration, material selection and iterative development before scalable manufacturing.

  • ISO 9001:2015

    Certified quality system

  • ISO/IEC 17025

    Accredited testing and calibration

  • Fine-gauge expertise

    Specialized capability for small constructions

  • Rapid prototyping

    Short runs to prove a design

UAV · Resources

Featured UAV resources

All 7 articles

UAV · FAQ

Answers to common questions

What engineers ask us most about wire for UAV applications.

What are the most critical factors for wire and cable in UAVs (drones)?

Weight, durability, and reliability are paramount. Every gram counts on a UAV, so lightweight wires are essential. They must also be able to withstand the vibration and environmental exposure of flight. Pelican Wire specializes in fine-gauge, lightweight, and high-performance wires that are ideal for UAV applications.

How can Pelican Wire help reduce the weight of my UAV design?

We can use fine-gauge conductors and lightweight insulation materials to create custom cables that are significantly lighter than standard off-the-shelf options. We can also combine multiple wires into a single, compact cable to save space and weight.

What types of wire are used in UAVs?

UAVs use a variety of wires, including power wires for the motors and batteries, data cables for sensors and cameras, and antenna cables for communication. We can provide custom solutions for all of these applications.

What are the challenges of wiring for UAVs?

In addition to weight, UAV wiring must also contend with limited space, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and the need for high reliability. Our engineers have experience in designing and manufacturing cables that address all of these challenges.

Show 6 more questions
Can you provide custom-molded cable assemblies for our UAV?

Yes, we can provide custom-molded cable assemblies that are designed to fit your specific UAV and application. This can improve the reliability and weather resistance of your UAV, as well as simplify the assembly process.

How do you protect UAV cables from EMI?

We can incorporate shielding into our custom cables to protect against EMI. This is particularly important for data cables and antenna cables, where EMI can disrupt communication and sensor readings.

What is the importance of battery cable design in a UAV?

The battery cables in a UAV must be able to handle high currents without overheating. They must also be lightweight and flexible. We can design custom battery cables that are optimized for your specific UAV and battery.

Can you provide high-flex life cables for the moving parts of our UAV, like the gimbal?

Yes, we can provide high-flex life cables that are designed to withstand the constant movement of a camera gimbal or other moving parts on your UAV.

What is the smallest and lightest wire you can make for a UAV?

We can produce wires as fine as 58 AWG, and we have a range of lightweight insulation materials to choose from. We can work with you to design the smallest and lightest wire possible for your application.

How can Pelican Wire help me get my UAV project off the ground?

We can provide rapid prototyping and small-batch production to help you iterate on your design and get your UAV flying. Our engineers are available to consult with you on all aspects of your UAV wiring.

Next step

Have a wire challenge? Put it in front of our team.

Tell us the application, the environment and the performance you need. We’ll help you choose the right next step: a conversation, a spec review or a quote.

Request a quoteContact us

Have a question? Let’s talk.

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