The U.S.-based drone startup has made waves with some eyebrow-raising performance claims—and it's not just about flying longer or lifting heavier. Silicon Valley’s SiFly has unveiled two industrial drones, the Q12 and the Q250, boasting specs that promise to rewrite the rulebook on commercial drone performance. The Q12 reportedly carries 10 lb (4.5 kg) for up to three hours, covering 90 miles (145 km), and is said to be “nearly silent” from 100 meters away. Even more striking is the Q250, expected in 2026, which claims a 200 lb (90.7 kg) payload capacity with over 90 minutes of endurance—enabling tasks like firefighting and cargo delivery at costs dramatically lower than helicopter alternatives.

SiFly’s CEO says the company has “eliminated the usual trade-offs” between payload, endurance, and range, while keeping prices competitive with Chinese-made drones—a feat that's raising eyebrows in the industry. While SiFly hasn’t revealed what makes these leaps possible, the early endorsement from Whisper Aero CEO and ex-NASA mobility technologist Mark Moore adds some credibility. He called it “the best multicopter out there, by far,” highlighting its efficiency and affordability for swarming deployments.