Metatron

Universal Electronic Safe and Arm Device (ESAD) for drones

Universal drone ESAD

Designed for secure, easy, and cost effective drone-payload integration.

Plug-and-Play Drone – Ordnance Integration

Our universal Metatron ESAD modules are engineered for seamless, lightweight, and cost effective integration with the modern battlefield’s most prevalent unmanned platforms, and most common ordinance. No matter if it is an FPV drone, an autonomous delivery system, or an anti-drone interceptor solution. Designed to be system-agnostic, these units interface via standard PWM and TTL signals by default -both for arming, trigger, connection, and feedback-, ensuring native compatibility with:

ArduPilot / PX4 (For autonomous, mission controlled drone solutions)

Betaflight / iNav (FPV and rapid-deployment drones, low cost kinetics)

The Metatron ESAD can also be adapted to your custom communication interface/protocol, even if it is completely unique to your brand of drones.

The feedback line is providing device status information to the flight controller, such as armed, or disarmed status, send error information if something is not working as it should, and -if using non-TTL/PWM communication- it can also provide detailed self diagnostic information. This then can be relayed to the operator over vehicle telemetry, aiding decision making.

The Metatron ESAD is also available as a single, Plug and Play PCB module, for direct integration on custom drone controller boards, either via pin headers, or direct soldering.

Electronic Safe and Arm device, designed for drones

Uncompromising Safety Architecture

In the domain of loitering munitions and remote delivery, the margin for error is zero.

Our ESAD solutions utilize a multi-layered, hardware, and software safety logic to prevent accidental discharge.

Redundant Control Systems

Dual, independent high-speed micro controllers provide a “Check and Balance” architecture, eliminating single points of failure within the firing chain. Should one of them find a failure, the system disarms automatically.

Comprehensive Diagnostics

Startup and in-flight self-diagnostics monitor the load line for voltage fluctuations and impedance in both ‘On’ and ‘Off’ states. The device provides constant telemetry to the Ground Control Station (GCS) via the flight controller, confirming arming status and system health in real-time.

Mechanical Interlocks

Physical safety barriers complement our electronic logic (EMSAD), ensuring transport safety and compliance with rigorous military handling standards. The interlocks can be customized to suit your individual requirements.

Remote Neutralization

Integrated remote self-destruct signal capability allows for the safe disposal of the payload, and the drone in the event of mission scrub or platform compromise. The signal can be relayed trough the flight controller, or as a separate channel.

Adaptable Lethality

Our designs are not static. The Metatron ESAD architecture is modular, allowing for rapid adaptation to diverse needs, and mission profiles. Depending on the configuration, our system has a detonation delay of less than 25us, which, at 600km/h means a trigger to detonation distance less than 15mm, allowing optimized payload delivery, optimal for cumulative, or high speed interceptors.

Bespoke enclosures

We provide full-service design for mounting interfaces and payload housings tailored to your specific airframe and aerodynamic requirements, including blast shaping cones. You receive ready to deploy designs. In addition, we have the capability to design the carrier drone itself.

Various Triggers

Metatron utilizes an array of on-board, and attachable external sensors to detect impact. All initialization thresholds are programmable, with adjustable delays, to deliver maximal effect with your payload. In addition to this, the Metatron Universal ESAD is compatible with various proximity triggers, for airburst, or area-denial capabilities. Ideal for accurately triggering cumulative charges

Completely unique

Our Metatron Universal ESADs are designed in a modular way. This allows customization to your needs: use high speed controllers for counter-drone solutions, or high-speed strike capabilities, or use a cost effective version for mass deployed OWAs. With input voltages ranging from 3 to 12s, we provide solutions for all your drone ESAD needs.

Purchase as a boxed product, or a license

Cherub RDS operates on a Design-First model. We believe that defense sovereignty is best achieved when the customer controls the means of production. We offer flexible pathways for the acquisition of our technology.

Besides providing the Metatron electronic safe and arm devices as a boxed, off the shelf hardware product -for quick integration with existing drone solutions. The Metatron ESAD is also available as a single PCB module, for direct integration on custom, new drone controller board designs, either via pin headers, or direct soldering.

We also offer various customization, and intellectual property licensing options. These include:

One-time, lump sum licenses for unlimited manufacturing.
Unit based license options for drone manufacturers, who may be looking for tested, and working ESAD-s for their drones, for lower barrier of entry.
Batch licensing, with discounted pricing.

This way, supply chains can be shorted, supplier reliance can be minimized, production can be capt in-house on sovereign soil, and defense capabilities cannot be compromised.

Standalone version specifications

The standalone version of the ESAD is designed to integrate drones, and payloads without building custom circuitry. It is a plug, and play solution, compatible with most available flight controllers, and fuses.

VIN: 3-6s basic, up to 12s option (60V maximum)

Detonator voltage: direct drone voltage as standard. Up to 1kV optional (this increases vertical size).

Logic level: 5V/3V3 standard, 12-24V optional

Dimensions: ~standard 40*55mm (other dimensions on request), weight ~20g. Bare bones versions can be as small as 36mm diameter.

Communications: 2xPWM in for Trigger, and Arm, 1xTTL for connectivity, 1xPWM out for status feedback. I2C, UART, SPI, CAN*, USB*, ETHERNET*, MAVLINK* on request.

Electrical safety: reverse polarity, ESD, overvoltage on all lines. Isolated logic input. Redundant firing chain. Residual current discharge on the firing chain.

Mechanical safety: remote start/button start options, interface for mechanical toggle. Visible feedback LEDs (status, error)

Software safety: redundant, dual-mcu control, with cross diagnostics, and redundant arming safety. Startup self diagnostics (connection, firing chain, power supply). In-flight diagnostics. Disarm on connection timeout. Reverse sequence protection. Customizable behavior on request.

Trigger: contact, remote, acceleration, optional proximity sensors.

Standards: on customer request (STANAG-4187, etc).

Fully customizable to suit various mission profiles.

*Require high performance MCU, increases lead-time.

PCB module version specifications

The PCB module version is designed for drone, and payload manufacturers, who need a drop-in solution for their custom circuit boards. Compatible with most common microcontrollers, and flight controllers.

Logic level: 3V3

Dimensions: ~standard 35.6*48.2*6mm, 7g.

Communications: 2xPWM in for Trigger, and Arm, 2xTTL for connectivity, and sensor, 1xPWM out for status feedback.

Electrical safety: reverse polarity, ESD, overvoltage on all lines. Redundant firing chain. Residual current discharge on the firing chain. EMC shielding.