Hopper Express Transportation Inc
"The Rescue Hopper 911"
First Responder Rescue Aircraft
Our Mission
“We exist to give first responders the aerial tools they need to save lives, protect communities, and reach people in places no vehicle or aircraft can go.”
We are seeking "Partners and Sponsors" for the "Rescue Hopper 911" project.
Please contact Tom Daily at tomdaily@hopper-express.com or use the Contact: page to discuss partnering, sponsoring, or if you have any questions?
THE DRONE HOPPER
Backpackable Heavy‑Lift VTOL for DARPA, First Responders, and Wildfire Teams
A new class of autonomous aircraft built to lift 110 lb. payloads, fly for 30 minutes, and deploy from anywhere — even when traditional aircraft can’t reach the mission.
The 55 lb. Heavy‑Lift Drone Hopper is backpackable and can be deployed from a truck, trailer, or launched directly from a rooftop.
WHAT MAKES THE DRONE HOPPER DIFFERENT
Heavy‑Lift Power. Ultra‑Portable Form Factor. Mission‑Ready Design.
• 110 lb. payload capacity
• 30‑minute endurance at full load
• Backpackable 55 lb. airframe
• Rooftop, truck, or trailer launch
• Enclosed rotors for urban safety
• Autonomous or remote‑pilot operation
• Rugged, field‑serviceable construction
This is heavy‑lift capability without the cost, complexity, or footprint of a helicopter.
DARPA HEAVY LIFT CHALLENGE
Engineered for the next generation of autonomous logistics
The Drone Hopper is purpose‑built for the DARPA Heavy Lift Challenge, delivering:
• 110 lb payload
• 30 minutes of flight time
• Runway‑independent VTOL
• Compact, backpackable deployment
• High‑stability hover and precision delivery
FIRST RESPONDER MISSIONS
When every second counts, the Drone Hopper delivers.
Built for rapid deployment in chaotic environments:
• Deliver medical kits, radios, water, and rescue gear
• Reach collapsed structures, flooded zones, and blocked roads
• Thermal imaging for locating missing persons
• Night and all‑weather operations
• Safe enclosed rotors for urban rescue corridors & wildlands
FIREFIGHTING SUPPORT
A new tool for wildfire and urban fire crews
The Drone Hopper provides fast, precise aerial support:
• Targeted water or retardant drops
• Thermal mapping of hotspots
• Delivery of hoses, tools, and supplies
• Safe operation in smoke‑filled or GPS‑challenged areas
• Launch from a truck, trailer, or rooftop command post
HOW IT DEPLOYS
Backpack. Truck. Trailer. Rooftop. Anywhere.
The Drone Hopper is designed for true field mobility:
- Carry it on your back
- Roll it out of a truck or trailer
- Launch from a rooftop or parking garage
- Deploy in under 2 minutes
This is the first heavy‑lift VTOL that goes where responders go.
WHO WE SERVE
Dual‑Use Capability for Civil & Defense Missions
- First Responders
- Fire Departments
- Search & Rescue Teams
- Defense Logistics
- Disaster Relief Agencies
- Remote Delivery Operators
CALL TO ACTION
Partner With Hopper Express
We’re actively seeking collaborators for:
- DARPA Heavy Lift Challenge
Click on Arrows >> to move to next slide
Natural Disasters First Responders
FIRST RESPONDER MISSIONS
A Heavy‑Lift VTOL Built for the Moments That Matter Most
When roads are blocked, helicopters are too slow, or access is impossible, the Drone Hopper gives first responders a fast, safe, and reliable way to deliver life‑saving equipment exactly where it’s needed.
The Hopper’s 55 lb backpackable airframe, 110 lb payload capacity, and 30‑minute endurance make it the most capable rapid‑deployment drone in its class.
🚨 Rapid Deployment in Any Environment
First responders don’t have time for complex equipment. The Drone Hopper is designed for speed and simplicity:
• Deploy from a backpack, truck, trailer, or rooftop
• Launch in under 2 minutes
• Operate in tight urban corridors or remote wilderness
• Fly autonomously or via remote pilot
• Enclosed rotors for maximum safety around people and structures
This is heavy‑lift capability that moves at the speed of the mission.
🏥 Search & Rescue Operations
Deliver life‑saving gear where humans can’t reach
The Drone Hopper supports SAR teams by carrying:
• Medical kits, AEDs, trauma supplies
• Radios, batteries, and communication gear
• Water, food, and survival equipment
• Thermal imaging payloads for locating missing persons
• Ropes, harnesses, and extraction tools
Whether it’s a collapsed building, a canyon, a flood zone, or a wildfire line, the Hopper gets critical supplies in fast.
🌧️ Disaster Response & Humanitarian Aid
When infrastructure fails, the Hopper keeps responders connected
In hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and tornadoes, the Hopper can:
• Deliver supplies to isolated survivors
• Transport tools to repair crews
• Carry sensors for damage assessment
• Provide overwatch with thermal or optical cameras
• Navigate debris‑filled or GPS‑challenged environments
Its compact footprint and rooftop‑launch capability make it ideal for dense urban disaster zones.
🔥 Fireground Support (Urban & Wildland)
A new aerial tool for firefighters
The Drone Hopper enhances fire operations by:
• Performing precision water or retardant drops
• Mapping hotspots with thermal imaging
• Delivering hoses, tools, and protective gear
• Supporting crews in steep, remote, or dangerous terrain
• Operating safely in smoke‑filled areas where helicopters cannot fly
Firefighters get a fast, flexible asset that fits in the back of a command vehicle.
📦 Heavy‑Lift Logistics for Emergency Teams
110 lb payload capacity — anywhere, anytime
The Hopper can move:
• Generators
• Batteries
• Medical crates
• Rescue tools
• Communications equipment
• Food and water supplies
It’s the first aircraft that combines heavy‑lift power with backpackable mobility.
📊 Endurance for Real Missions
Flight Time vs. Payload
Payload (lb.) Flight Time (min)
110 lb. 30 min
90 lb. 34 min
70 lb. 38 min
50 lb. 44 min
30 lb. 52 min
10 lb. 60 min
This endurance profile gives responders the flexibility to choose between maximum lift and maximum range depending on the mission.
🛰️
Built for Real‑World Conditions
• All‑weather capable
• Enclosed rotors for safety
• Autonomous navigation
• Manual override for precision
• Rugged, field‑serviceable design
• Operates from confined spaces
This is the aircraft designed for the unpredictable.
🤝 Partner With Us
We are actively seeking partnerships with:
• Fire departments
• Search & rescue teams
• Emergency management agencies
• Disaster relief organizations
• Law enforcement
• Federal and state response units
How to Contact Us
If you have any questions about our Hopper products, please contact us by filling out the form below and we will get in touch with you shortly. Alternatively, you can give us a call or even drop by and visit us - We hope to see you soon!
Where to Find Us
tomdaily@hopper-express.com
314-650-2484
Hopper Express Transportation Inc
3461 Park Ave,
Saint Louis MO 63104-1354
United States
Business Hours
- Mon - Sat
- -
- Sunday
- Closed