Standard spares, custom-made parts or a multi-supplier component list: our team brings the factory conversations together. You receive clear options, open questions and a written supply proposal before deciding.
Each request is reviewed before we offer supply. The quotation and order documents define the deliverables, contracting entity, payment recipient and delivery responsibilities.
01/ 06
DEFINE THE BRIEF
Begin with the mission. Make the brief specific.
A useful sourcing brief explains the civilian application and the constraints—not just the name of a drone.
You provide
The model or part number, quantity, destination and civilian use. A draft bill of materials (BOM) or a non-confidential drawing summary is also a useful start.
We organise
A line-by-line request covering exact replacements, acceptable alternatives, custom manufacturing and items that need more definition.
You receive
A confirmed starting scope and the specific questions needed to progress. You do not need to complete every technical field before contacting us.
WHO OWNS THE DECISION
Customer defines the need and end use. Sentinel-X coordinates the brief; the customer’s technical team confirms requirements.
↳Have only a starting point? Share what you know. Unknowns should be labelled as unknowns—not filled with assumptions.
02/ 06
REVIEW SUPPLIERS
Find the right conversations. Build a relevant shortlist.
We approach suppliers for standard products and manufacturing candidates for build-to-print work, using the same brief so their responses can be compared.
The starting point
Your agreed requirements, preferred manufacturers, permitted alternatives and any mandatory quality or documentation conditions.
We request
Exact models and revisions, manufacturing capability where relevant, quantity terms, lead times and available supporting documents.
You receive
Candidate options with their source, stated capabilities and outstanding evidence. A missing document or unanswered requirement remains clearly marked.
WHO OWNS THE DECISION
Sentinel-X coordinates enquiries. Suppliers provide information; the customer decides which candidates merit further review.
↳Availability and lead times are supplier statements at a point in time. They must be reconfirmed before commitment.
03/ 06
CHECK THE OPTIONS
Compare like with like. Resolve the important gaps.
We bring model details, supplier responses and requested documents into one comparison—not just a list of prices.
We compare
Versions, quantities, interfaces, included accessories, document scope and lead times. For custom parts, we clarify drawing revisions, processes and inspection needs.
We follow up
Conflicting specifications and missing answers with the relevant supplier. Technical questions and supporting records are passed to your engineering team for review.
You decide
Which candidate and trade-offs to accept, with explicit approval for any substitution. Sample or specialist inspection work is scoped separately before commitment.
WHO OWNS THE DECISION
Suppliers confirm their offers. Sentinel-X organises the comparison. The customer approves the selection and any trade-offs.
↳A similar name or matching connector is not proof of compatibility. Changes to the BOM should be explicit and reviewed.
04/ 06
AGREE THE QUOTATION
Know what you are buying. Know who is responsible.
A written quotation turns the chosen option into a commercial proposal with a defined scope, price and conditions.
Product & price
Exact models or drawing revisions, condition, quantities, currency, quote validity and included items. Supply pricing includes our commercial margin and the agreed sourcing coordination.
Documents & delivery
Required records, agreed inspection or sample steps, indicative lead time, delivery terms, and whether freight, insurance, duties and taxes are included or excluded.
Parties & support
The legal contracting entity, payment recipient, exporter and importer arrangements where relevant, plus agreed acceptance, warranty and after-sales responsibilities.
BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Review and accept the written terms before payment. Special testing, tooling, samples or other additional work is quoted for approval before it is arranged.
↳Required evidence should identify the exact part, revision and relevant scope. Your qualified technical team confirms suitability for the intended system.
05/ 06
COORDINATE THE ORDER
Keep the supplier follow-up moving. Prepare the handover.
Once the order scope and terms are agreed, we coordinate the assigned supplier, documentation and logistics steps through one point of contact.
Order updates
Follow up agreed milestones, supplier dates and open actions. Changes to specification, availability or timing are raised for a decision rather than silently substituted.
Pre-dispatch checks
Coordinate the records, item identification, packing information and any inspection agreed in the order. Specialist inspection is performed by the appointed provider.
Delivery planning
Align consignee details, carrier requirements, agreed shipping documents and the destination checks with the responsible exporter, importer and logistics parties.
WHO OWNS THE DECISION
The contracting parties confirm commercial terms. Exporters, importers, carriers and local advisers fulfil their respective obligations; Sentinel-X coordinates the agreed scope.
↳Dispatch remains subject to applicable export, import, transport and destination requirements. Dates and customs outcomes are not guaranteed.
06/ 06
RECEIVE & FOLLOW UP
Check what arrived. Keep the follow-up connected.
Compare the delivery with the agreed order and record any discrepancy. We remain the contact for supplier follow-up within the agreed supply scope.
Delivery acceptance
Check quantities, model identifiers, condition and documents against the order. Record packing and product concerns promptly under the agreed acceptance procedure.
After-sales routing
We coordinate product questions and documented issues with the responsible supplier or contracting party. Repair, replacement, return and shipping terms follow the written agreement.
Your next stage
Your engineering team handles assembly and project-specific testing. We can follow up supplier documentation questions that arise during that work.
WHO OWNS THE DECISION
The customer and its qualified integrator own assembly and validation. The local operator owns safe operation and the permissions and credentials that apply.
↳Bench testing, a working prototype and authorised flight are different milestones. Treat each as a separate decision.
THREE DIFFERENT MILESTONES
A part that arrives. A system that works. A flight that’s authorised.
They are not the same decision. Keep the evidence and responsibilities for each one separate.
01 / PROCUREMENT
Components received
Confirm what arrived against the agreed scope, versions and documents. Refer discrepancies to the relevant supplier or contracting party.
02 / INTEGRATION
Bench & prototype validation
Your qualified technical team assesses assembly, configuration and suitability through a project-specific validation plan. Bench results do not establish flight readiness.
03 / OPERATION
Local flight requirements
The responsible operator confirms aircraft, pilot, airspace, site and other applicable requirements. Sourcing support does not grant permission to fly.
The agreed project scope and contracts determine the final allocation. This overview helps surface the right conversations early.
Indicative responsibility overview for a civilian component sourcing project
Workstream
Sentinel-X
Supplier / manufacturer
Customer / local specialists
Project requirements
Organise the brief and track open questions.
Explain the offered product and available options.
Define the use, destination, requirements and acceptance criteria.
Product & evidence
Coordinate requests and organise supplied information.
Provide accurate model details, documentation and responses.
Evaluate applicability, authenticity and suitability with qualified specialists.
Selection & commercial terms
Prepare the supply proposal, identify included coordination and clarify the contracting arrangements.
Confirm its offer, availability and contractual commitments.
Approve the exact selection, budget, contracting entity and written order terms.
Cross-border handover
Coordinate the agreed document and logistics workflow.
Fulfil its agreed supply and export responsibilities.
Confirm importer, destination and local obligations with the relevant professionals.
Receipt & after-sales
Coordinate documented issues and supplier follow-up within the agreed scope.
Provide the product support and remedy agreed for the order.
Inspect receipt and report discrepancies under the agreed acceptance procedure.
Assembly & operation
Follow up supplier documentation questions.
Clarify product instructions and supported configurations.
Own integration, validation, maintenance, permissions and safe operation.
On smaller screens, scroll the table sideways. Carriers, customs brokers, exporters and other specialists also retain their own responsibilities.
BEFORE YOU SEND A REQUEST
Practical answers for buyers.
Start with the information you have. We clarify the rest before a purchase commitment.
Are you the manufacturer?
No. Sentinel-X is an independent China-side sourcing and procurement team. We look for relevant suppliers or factories, organise the discussions and offer supply within a written project scope. We do not present every factory we contact as an approved partner.
How do you make money?
Initial requirements review has no separate sourcing fee. Our quoted supply price includes our margin and the coordination described in that quotation. Samples, tooling, inspection and other additional work or third-party costs are agreed and priced before commitment. The quote states included and excluded delivery costs.
What do you need to get started?
A model or part number, approximate quantity, delivery country and civilian application. For a component kit, a draft BOM is enough to begin. For custom parts, first share a non-confidential description of the part, material, process and quantity; agree confidentiality and sharing arrangements before sending detailed drawings.
Who will I contract with and pay?
The legal contracting entity and payment recipient must be identified in the written quotation and order documents before payment. Ask Harvey at partners@sentinel-vtol.com for the business registration information relevant to your proposed order. Manufacturing, export, import and after-sales roles are also clarified in the agreed scope.
How do you handle quality and documents?
We ask for the records your project requires, connect them to the proposed model or drawing revision, and track gaps with suppliers. Any sample, inspection or specialist verification must be agreed in scope. Your engineering team validates compatibility and acceptance criteria; a collected certificate alone is not proof that the finished aircraft is suitable or approved.
What if a supplier cannot meet my requirements?
We identify the shortfall and ask whether another candidate, a revised scope or no further action is appropriate. We do not quietly replace a specified part or treat an unanswered requirement as confirmed. Availability and willingness to accept small or custom orders are assessed case by case.
MAKE THE FIRST CONVERSATION USEFUL
Bring a part number. Bring a component list. Or bring the question.
Your first message does not need to solve everything. It should make your starting point clear.
Exact part numbers, revisions or a draft BOM, where known.
Quantities, target timing and whether alternatives are acceptable.
Known interfaces, configuration constraints and documents required.
Who will integrate the system, import the goods and operate locally.
Agree the sharing arrangements first.
Please do not send confidential drawings, protected know-how or restricted technical data in the initial enquiry. Agree the scope, recipients and suitable sharing arrangements before transferring sensitive material.