diff --git a/msg/vtol_vehicle_status.msg b/msg/vtol_vehicle_status.msg
index 1e544ddc9a..0cee13f7de 100644
--- a/msg/vtol_vehicle_status.msg
+++ b/msg/vtol_vehicle_status.msg
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ uint8 VEHICLE_VTOL_STATE_TRANSITION_TO_FW = 1
 uint8 VEHICLE_VTOL_STATE_TRANSITION_TO_MC = 2
 uint8 VEHICLE_VTOL_STATE_MC = 3
 uint8 VEHICLE_VTOL_STATE_FW = 4
+uint8 VEHICLE_VTOL_STATE_EXTERNAL = 5
 
 bool vtol_in_rw_mode			# true: vtol vehicle is in rotating wing mode
 bool vtol_in_trans_mode