PAS 2025 – Parrot unveils CHUCK 3.0 AI autopilot for any UAV
The French company Parrot presented for the first time at the Paris Air Show 2025 its CHUCK 3.0, a breakthrough all-in-one autopilot that turns any unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform into a high-performance system
In its CHUCK 3.0 Parrot has consolidated its cutting-edge smartphone-chipset architecture and AI neural-network-based flight algorithms into a module that addresses the needs of the defence UAV market.
The compact unit fuses AI-driven autonomous flight, a spoof-proof multi-band frequency hopping radio and real-time optical navigation for GNSS-denied airspace. It also brings obstacle avoidance and a stabilized three-axis gimbal with day- and night-grade imaging. CHUCK 3.0 seamlessly integrates with quadcopter, VTOL, fixed-wing, helicopter, or hybrid UAVs. It 3.0 features a secure long-range ground controller, offers native links for MARS frequency-hopping radios, 5G, LoRa, satellite connection, and exposes its full capability set through an open-source software development kit and Parrot FreeFlight 8 mission-planning suite. As reported to EDR On-Line at the Parrot stand, CHUCK 3.0 was created entirely without the use of Chinese components.
Hardware highlights include a 35x optical-zoom payload, FLIR Boson 640 thermal core (640 x 512 pix, operating in the 8 to 14 µm band) and a three-axis stabilized gimbal supported by four robotic-grade sensors. Alongside its jam- and spoof-resistant multi-band (MARS) radio suite, the module can also be provided in an “autopilot-only” configuration for drop-in use with an operator’s existing RF links. Parrot supports CHUCK 3.0 with a comprehensive ecosystem of peripherals such as multi-payload ports, night-vision modules and MARS remote-antenna kit. For night operations, the module is compatible with the Parrot NIGHTVISION module, an optional intelligent payload designed to extend optical navigation performance in complete darkness.
On the software side, the FreeFlight 8 mission-planning app (Flight Planning with waypoints and points of interest, object recognition and tracking, cursor on target, video streaming and recording, EO an IR cameras settings management, flight logs recording and reviewing), Sphinx flight simulator and open-source software development kit extend and future-proof the platform, making it the most complete, scalable and secure solution in the defense UAV market, according to Parrot.
The module dimensions are 222 x 100 x 85 mm and its mass is 390 grams.
According to Parrot, CHUCK 3.0 was tested against several EMC test standards such as MIL-STD-461G and EN 300 328. It showed exceptionally low radiated and conducted emissions, guaranteeing zero interference with neighboring avionics.
Photos by N. Novichkov
