Products
DJI unveils AP100 drone parachute for Matrice 400
Introducing the DJI AP100 Parachute for the M400. Fast deployment, redundancy, manual and automatic triggers, and a route to more complex drone operations.
DJI has unveiled its first dedicated parachute for the Matrice 400 - designed to facilitate UK/C5 and UK6/C6 operations. The AP100 is a rear-mounted parachute system featuring independent power and full-link redundancy, supporting both manual and automatic deployment. With a response time under 600 ms and a descent rate below 5m, it helps protect your platform, payloads, and the ground below.
Key features of the DJI AP100
Here's an at-a-glance overview of the DJI AP100's key features.
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Compliant flights | • Mounting AP100 Parachute on DJI Matrice 400 meets UK5 and C5 operational safety requirements: Ideal for VLOS flights over populated urban areas. • DJI Matrice 400 (C6) Combo meets UK6 and C6 operational safety requirements, or get drone retrospectively C6/UK6 class-marked: Ideal for BVLOS flights. |
Multiple deployment methods | • Automatic and manual • Audio/visual alarms for warning and locating |
Fast deployment | • <600ms automatic deployment response time • <5m/s stabilised descent speed • 30 metres minimum altitude |
High protection | • IP55 weather protection • -20°C to 50°C operating range |
Safety redundancy | • Self-check gas generator and links • Independent flight control and IMU redundancy • Independent backup power • Independent FTS and motor cut-off link |
Lightweight and easy to use | • 935g • The parachute has a max load capacity of 15.8 kg. • Rear-mounted design with no interference to batteries or payloads • Matrice 400 fits directly into the original carrying case with parachute attached |
Why the AP100 M400 drone parachute matters
The DJI Matrice 400 has quickly become a go-to platform for enterprise operators - but flying VLOS over populated areas, or working towards BVLOS authorisations, means demonstrating a robust ground risk mitigation strategy to the UK CAA or EASA.
With the AP100, the DJI Matrice 400 enterprise drone can meet the operational safety requirements for both the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
More specifically, it can be mounted on an existing Matrice 400 to meet C5 or UK5 operational safety requirements, as applicable for STS-01.
However, the C6 or UK6 Class label only applies to factory-certified systems. This means organisations must obtain the new DJI Matrice 400 (C6) Combo with the AP100 parachute included to meet C6 or UK6 requirements, as applicable for STS-02.
It's also worth noting that operators with existing DJI M400s can purchase an AP100 and then send both products to DJI for retrospective UK6/C6 class-marking. Heliguy can handle the shipping process for you.
Additionally, AP100 Parachute can also facilitate compliance for Standard Scenarios, including flights over populated urban areas (STS-01) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations (STS-02).
The parachute also meets MOC 2511/MOC 2512 Declaration of Compliance (EU FTS validation and EU ground risk mitigation validation) and F3322 Certification (performance standard for small UAS parachute systems).
Rapid deployment, reduced impact
Deployment itself is fast: under 600ms response time, with a stabilised descent speed of under 5 m/s once triggered above the minimum 30m deployment altitude.
Pilots can trigger it manually via the DJI Pilot 2 app in an emergency, or it can deploy automatically if the system detects a loss-of-control event such as a severe attitude anomaly or uncontrolled descent.
FlightHub 2 web-based remote deployment and geocaging-triggered deployment are also supported, subject to regional availability (countries such as the UK and EU member states are supported. For full list see FAQs on product page).
How the AP100 works
The AP100 is built around independent redundancy, rather than relying on the M400's main flight systems:
Independent sensing uses its own sensors to detect abnormal aircraft attitude or speed, rather than depending solely on the flight controller.
Independent power, via built-in dual capacitors, keeps the parachute's processor, sensors, and ejector running even if the drone's main battery fails.
Independent execution, through its own Flight Termination System (FTS), cuts motor power directly via the ESC, preventing propellers from entangling the parachute lines.
Built without compromising the M400
The AP100 weighs 935g. It enables the DJI M400 to be packed to its full 15.8kg max takeoff weight.
Its rear-mounted design ensures there is no interference to the drone's batteries or payloads, and only impacts flight time by six minutes.
The aircraft still fits into its original carrying case with the parachute attached.
It's also IP55-rated to match the M400 itself, so it's built to handle the same operating conditions the aircraft already does.
One trade-off worth knowing: once fitted, the M400 automatically disables its downward and backward mmWave radars, which does reduce obstacle sensing in those directions. It's a sensible design decision - but one operators should factor into their operational planning.
A single-use safety device
Like all parachute recovery systems, the AP100 is single-use: once deployed, the unit needs replacing before the aircraft flies again.
DJI recommends retiring and replacing the unit three years after activation regardless of routine self-check results, and heliguy's after-sales team can support with inspection, servicing, and replacement.
Use cases
Integrating the AP100 with the DJI M400 can benefit multiple use cases.
Application scenario | Configeration | Operation scenario | Application value |
|---|---|---|---|
Urban patrol | M400 + AP100 + H30T + Spotlight + Speaker | Traffic management: Broadcast guidance and safety reminders over congestion or accident sites. Event security: Communicate schedules and safety notices at large events or emergencies. | Expanded range: Helps operators fly longer in dense urban areas with fewer safety-driven mission limits. Public safety fallback: Reduces risk to people and property during irreversible failures. |
Facade cleaning | M400 + AP100 + Cleaning equipment | Rapid cleaning: In high-rise facade cleaning, an M400 carrying cleaning equipment is flown close to glass curtain walls to ensure cleaning effectiveness. | Lower operational safety risk: The parachute acts as part of the safety chain to reduce damage to buildings and the ground, in the event of an accident. Operation permit acquisition: As this application grows, a parachute creates a safer solution and helps address concerns - making it one of the key conditions for obtaining work permits. |
Delivery | M400 + AP100 + Delivery box | Medical supplies: Lab-to-hospital transport; emergency medical treatment; blood centre hospital treatment. Special terrain and last-mile delivery: Island/remote-area delivery of documents, supplies, and goods, or small parcels. Instant delivery: Food/small-item pilot delivery. | Increased efficiency: Supports fast, time-critical deliveries. Increased reach: Expanded service radius. Safety assurance chain: Establish an end-to-end safety assurance chain by demonstrating fail-safe capability for urban airspace operations. Meet permit requirements: Parachute systems help support routine route patrols. |
DJI AP100: Summary
The AP100 Parachute gives Matrice 400 operators a straightforward route to meeting C5/UK5 safety requirements for VLOS operations over populated areas, backed by genuine engineering redundancy rather than a single point of failure, while there is also support for UK6 and C6 operations.
The AP100 is lightweight, fast to deploy, and designed to slot into the M400 ecosystem without disrupting existing workflows or kit.
Interested in the AP100 Parachute? Contact heliguy™ today to find out more.
