Drone pilots already rely on open-source flight software. Now a Belgian hardware project wants to make the circuit boards open, too.

OpenDrone launched its open-hardware FPV lineup on October 2, 2026. Instead of keeping the electronics secret, it publishes the design files for flight controllers, motor controllers and radio receivers so people can inspect, repair and modify them. The project calls this the missing half of open-source drone building.

What can builders actually change?

The lineup includes OpenFC Lite flight controllers, OpenESC motor controllers and OpenRX ExpressLRS receivers. The published KiCad files expose the board layouts and schematics. The hardware is licensed under CERN-OHL-S, which requires sharing modifications when covered designs are distributed.

That means a technically skilled pilot could study how a board works, replace damaged parts, or fork the design for a different build. It does not mean every part is ready for production: the project’s public development timeline distinguishes validated boards from planned components.

Why this matters

FPV drones commonly use open-source software such as Betaflight, ExpressLRS and AM32, but the hardware underneath can still be difficult to inspect or repair. OpenDrone is trying to close that gap. It’s the physical-hardware version of the freedom explained in our open-source guide and our GitHub explainer.

The project says its first European batch of flight controllers and ESCs should ship in early November. Other preorders depend on a funding target closing December 15, with a stated shipping goal of March 31, 2027 if the target is met. Those are plans, not delivered products.

SmartNews takeaway: Open-source drones aren’t just about changing the code anymore. OpenDrone wants pilots to own the design of the hardware itself.

Sources: OpenDrone’s launch announcement and its public hardware repositories.