Ethix propellers are designed with the pilot Steele Davis and manufactured by HQProp, and their country of origin is China. For US programs subject to NDAA covered-country flow-down requirements — which reach individual components, propellers included — that typically rules foreign-made parts like these out. Whether a specific part is permitted on a specific program depends on your contract's flow-downs, so confirm with your compliance team.
Why country of origin is the deciding factor
NDAA covered-country and flow-down requirements ban federal agencies from purchasing or operating UAS — and their components — from covered foreign entities, and they extend to federal grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Prime contractors flow the same requirements down to their suppliers, and compliance is required at the component level, not just the system level. Our NDAA covered-country explainer covers the mechanics.
The result: for a program under these flow-downs, the question isn't whether a propeller performs well — it's where it and its materials come from, and whether you can document that.
A verified drop-in for the Ethix S5
The Ethix S5 is a 5×4×3, and 5×4×3 (ANV-P5040) is referenced to it as a drop-in — same diameter, pitch, blade count and hub, read from HQProp's published listing. That SKU is also referenced to the HQProp 5X4X3 V1S, which shares the size.
The rest of the Ethix range
The S3 (5×3.1×3), S4 (5×3.65×3), the 5.1-inch P-series from the P2 at 2.9-inch pitch to the P4 at 4-inch, and the 6-inch K2 bi-blade are all listed with their sizes on the HQProp replacement guide, which says for each whether an Anvil part is a drop-in, a nominal size match, or a request.
If Ethix parts are on your BOM
- Inventory the sizes and part numbers you currently fly.
- Vet domestic replacements against the component-level compliance checklist — a US label alone is not a US supply chain.
- Send us the part numbers — we'll confirm fitment and come back with availability.