DJI AP100 – Parachute for DJI Matrice 400

For the priceless below

The DJI AP100 is DJI Enterprise’s first safety parachute designed for the DJI Matrice 400. In an emergency (loss of control, motor failure, exiting the authorised area), it deploys automatically or manually and slows the aircraft’s descent to reduce potential harm to the drone, its payload and the people and property below. With a response time under 600 ms and a stabilized descent speed below 5 m/s, it turns a critical incident into a controlled landing.

Fly legally over populated areas: C5 and C6

This is what the AP100 really unlocks: operations that are closed to you today.

• C5: mounted on the Matrice 400, the AP100 meets C5 (EU) safety requirements. Visual line of sight (VLOS) flight over populated urban areas, standard scenario STS-01.
• C6: with the Matrice 400 (C6) combo or the upgrade programme, you gain beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight, standard scenario STS-02.
• Declared compliance MOC 2511 / MOC 2512 (EU FTS and ground-risk mitigation validation) and F3322 certification (performance standard for small UAS parachute systems).

For operators in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, this means substantially stronger authorisation cases with the DGTA and relevant authorities.

Already own a C3-certified Matrice 400? Upgrade to C6 (EU)

DJI offers a certification upgrade programme: owners of a C3-certified M400 send their aircraft and the AP100 parachute to DJI After-Sales, which performs a hardware inspection, firmware update, applies the C3+C6 label and attaches the compliance statement. Estimated turnaround: 1 to 2 weeks, mostly logistics. For any Matrice 400 purchased from Drone Parts Center, we take care of this upgrade for you.

How deployment works

1. Detection: continuous monitoring of attitude (IMU), motor speed and supply voltage.
2. Ejection: a gas generator (pyrotechnic system, similar to a car airbag) instantly produces high-pressure gas that blows open the hatch and ejects the parachute, pulling the suspension lines taut within a fraction of a second. This is the fastest and most reliable ejection technology, even in harsh conditions.
3. Deceleration: the canopy opens and inflates, its large surface slowing the fall below 5 m/s.
4. Landing and recovery: the aircraft descends stabilized beneath the canopy. Audible and visual alarms (about 1 hour) warn ground personnel and help locate the aircraft.

Three trigger modes

• Automatic: sensor-fusion anomaly detection (attitude, speed); geocaging trigger (EU only) when leaving the defined operational volume.
• Manual: from the remote controller, by tapping the parachute icon in DJI Pilot 2 and swiping to confirm.
• Remote via FlightHub 2 (EU only): FTS trigger from a web interface. Requires the DJI Cellular Dongle 2 with SIM card and a cellular connection.

Independent safety redundancy

• Independent power: built-in dual capacitors power the processor, sensors and ejector even if the drone’s main battery loses power (about 1 hour backup).
• Independent sensing: the parachute’s own sensors, not fully reliant on the main flight controller.
• Independent execution: the FTS sends commands directly to the ESCs through a dedicated circuit.
• Independent link: a dedicated 4G channel for manual triggering, independent of the standard RC link.
• Continuous self-check: from power-on to the end of the flight, the AP100 monitors the gas generator and links; any anomaly is flagged in real time via the DJI Pilot 2 HMS.

Built for the field, no compromise

• IP55 rating, matching the Matrice 400, for operation in the rain; -20 to 50 °C range.
• Only 935 g; the maximum takeoff weight stays at 15.8 kg.
• Fixed rear mount: no interference with batteries or payloads. The Matrice 400 fits directly into its original carrying case with the parachute attached: no removal between missions.
• Impact on flight time: about 6 minutes.

Professional use cases

Urban patrol and public safety

Traffic management, event security, emergency command over streets, squares and populated areas. The AP100 extends operating range in dense urban settings with fewer restrictions and reduces risk to people and property during irreversible failures. Typical combination: M400 + AP100 + H30T + spotlight + speaker.

Urban mapping

High-precision 3D modelling of buildings, roads and infrastructure in built-up areas. A certified parachute system demonstrates a high level of redundancy to authorities and greatly improves approval chances in complex areas, while fully leveraging the M400’s endurance and payloads (L3, L2, P1).

High-rise facade cleaning

During ultra-close operations along curtain walls, the parachute is part of the safety chain and reduces damage to the building and ground in case of an accident. A key argument for obtaining work permits and reassuring owners and regulators.

Drone delivery

Medical transport (samples, blood, AEDs), document delivery, last-mile to remote areas. The parachute establishes an end-to-end safety chain and supports routine route approvals.

In the box

• DJI AP100 Parachute (x1)
• Mounting bracket (x1) and 16 screws (4 spare) + screwdriver and handle
• E-Port cable clamps (x2, 1 spare) + screws (x2)
• E-Port screwdriver + spare screws (x2)
• Gimbal safety tethers (x3)
• Documentation and user warning sticker

Available versions: universal version, dealer demo unit, and M400 (C6) combo version with DJI Care Enterprise Plus.

Installation in four steps

1. Attach the mounting bracket to the rear of the aircraft (powered off) and tighten the screws.
2. Attach the parachute to the bracket and tighten the screws.
3. Connect the cable to the E-Port V2 (E4) port and secure the cable with the clamp so it does not obstruct the sensors.
4. Install the gimbal safety tethers (mandatory), then power on and activate the accessory (activation page on first use).

Technical specifications

Specification	DJI AP100
Compatibility	DJI Matrice 400 (only)
Classes enabled	C5 (mounted); C6 (combo or upgrade)
Compliance / certification	MOC 2511 / MOC 2512; F3322
Response time (auto)	≤ 600 ms
Stabilized descent speed	≤ 5 m/s
Minimum deployment altitude	30 m
Trigger modes	Automatic, manual (app/RC), FlightHub 2 web (EU), geocaging (EU)
Ingress protection	IP55
Operating temperature	-20 °C to 50 °C
Weight	935 g
Flight-time impact	about 6 minutes
Maximum takeoff weight	15.8 kg
Post-deployment alarms	audible and visual, about 1 hour
Backup power	about 1 hour after power loss
Service life	single-use; replace 3 years after activation

Frequently asked questions

What is the impact on flight time?

About 6 minutes less flight time.

Do FTS and 4G enhanced transmission work at the same time?

Yes, with no effect on either function.

Will the aircraft and payload remain undamaged after deployment?

No. The parachute aims to reduce harm to people and property on the ground, but does not guarantee that the aircraft and payload remain usable after impact.

What is the maximum takeoff weight with the parachute mounted?

The maximum safe capacity is 15.8 kg; total takeoff weight must not exceed this value.

How long do the alarms last after deployment?

About 1 hour of audible and visual alarms to warn people on the ground and locate the aircraft.

Is the gimbal safety tether mandatory?

Yes. With the parachute, it must be securely attached to the gimbal connector: it prevents payload detachment under the opening shock.

Can the parachute deploy while on the ground?

No. As long as the aircraft has not taken off, automatic and manual deployment are impossible.

When should the parachute be replaced?

It is a single-use device: it must be replaced after any deployment. For safety, retire and replace it 3 years after activation, even if self-checks show no issues.

Good to know

Once the AP100 is mounted, the Matrice 400 automatically disables its downward and backward mmWave radars: small-obstacle sensing in these directions is reduced. The parachute is a supplementary safety device and does not replace sound flight-safety management.

Data tested in a controlled laboratory environment; actual experience may vary. Some features (FTS, geocaging, web trigger) are EU only and require the appropriate hardware and subscription. See the official DJI website for detailed conditions.

Fleet configuration and compliance: Drone Parts Center, authorized DJI Enterprise dealer in Nivelles, supports you across Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands.

Technical Specifications

Weight	Approx. 935 g (with mount)
Dimensions	182 × 171 × 157 mm (L × W × H, with mount)
Max supported takeoff weight	15.8 kg
Flight time impact	Only about 6 minutes
Stabilized descent speed	≤ 5 m/s
Effective deployment altitude	≥ 30 m
Automatic deployment response time	≤ 600 ms
Canopy material	Nylon
Manual deployment	Via DJI Pilot 2 app and FTS deployment (EU and supported countries)
Automatic deployment	Attitude or speed anomalies, or geocaging boundary breach
Audio and visual alarms	Approx. 1 h after deployment, can be turned off via the physical button
Backup power	Approx. 1 h (built-in dual capacitors, independent of the aircraft)
Ingress protection	IP55
Operating temperature	-20 to 50 °C
Operating altitude	0 to 4,500 m
Maintenance	Maintenance-free for 3 years after activation; single-use device, replace after any deployment

Frequently Asked Questions

Which drone is the AP100 Parachute compatible with?

The DJI AP100 is designed for the DJI Matrice 400. Once mounted, the Matrice 400 automatically disables its backward and downward mmWave radars to ensure unobstructed deployment: stay aware of the flight environment and manually avoid obstacles in those directions.

How does the AP100 help me meet EASA C5/C6 requirements?

Mounted on an existing Matrice 400, the AP100 meets C5 operational safety requirements (applicable to STS-01). To meet C6 requirements (applicable to STS-02), a Matrice 400 (C6) Worry-Free Plus Combo is required: under applicable regulations, the C6 class label applies only to factory-certified systems and cannot be obtained by mounting a parachute onto an existing aircraft.

Does mounting the AP100 guarantee absolute safety?

No. The AP100 is a supplementary safety device designed to reduce the descent rate in an emergency. It mitigates, but does not eliminate, the risk of damage to the aircraft, payload, or to persons and property on the ground. Operators must always follow safe flight practices.

What is the descent speed after deployment?

The stabilized descent speed after deployment is 5 m/s or less, at a deployment altitude of at least 30 m.

Is manual deployment possible?

Yes, in two ways: via the on-screen slider in DJI Pilot 2, and via remote FTS deployment from DJI FlightHub 2 (in the EU and supported countries, with a DJI Cellular Dongle 2 and 4G connection).

What triggers automatic deployment?

Automatic deployment triggers when sensors (IMU) detect abnormal attitude or speed, or when the aircraft breaches a geocaging boundary set in DJI Pilot 2. Automatic deployment is disabled in the immediate vicinity of the Home Point (10 m radius, relative altitude within 15 m) to avoid ground damage.

Can the parachute deploy while on the ground?

No. As long as the aircraft has not taken off, the parachute deploys neither automatically nor manually.

How often should the canopy and gas generator be replaced?

The parachute is a single-use device: it must be fully replaced after any deployment. In addition, it is recommended to replace the product 3 years after activation, regardless of daily self-check results.

What is the gimbal safety tether for?

When the Matrice 400 is fitted with the parachute, the gimbal safety tether is a critical safety measure: it provides a redundant physical backup and helps prevent payload detachment from the parachute opening shock. Attaching it to the Gimbal Connector is mandatory.

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