Monday, January 15, 2024
Airbus Helicopters and Aerovel have formalized an agreement for the acquisition of Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor. This move is a strategic initiative aimed at bolstering Airbus’s array of tactical unmanned solutions. Flexrotor, a compact tactical unmanned aerial system designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions across both maritime and terrestrial environments, takes center stage in this collaboration.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Aerovel into the Airbus family. This strategic acquisition aligns with our vision to expand our UAS offering and respond to a growing customer demand worldwide for additional mission capabilities such as manned-unmanned teaming. Aerovel’s expertise in autonomous flight technology will undoubtedly complement our UAS development with the VSR700, as well as the work that we have been doing to develop interoperability,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
CEO of Aerovel, Ali Dian, highlighted the collaboration’s significance, noting that joining forces with Airbus would facilitate scaling innovation and advancing unmanned aviation. Dian affirmed Aerovel’s commitment to supporting the US military and allies while expressing pride in becoming part of Airbus, an organization with a distinguished aerospace legacy.
Flexrotor, described as a modern Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft with a maximum launch weight of 25 kg, is designed for extended ISTAR missions lasting 12-14 hours. Its versatility allows integration of various payloads, making it adaptable to customers’ unique mission requirements. The autonomous launch and recovery capabilities, requiring a minimal 12 by 12 ft. area, make Flexrotor well-suited for expeditionary missions with a minimal footprint. The system’s proven track record, supported by the US Department of Defense, showcases its effectiveness as a force multiplier in challenging, high-threat, GPS-denied environments. Flexrotor’s applications extend to parapublic missions, including forest fire surveillance and ice navigation in the Arctic.
Aerovel, headquartered in Bingen, Washington, will continue as a US-owned entity, collaborating with the US Department of Defense under Airbus’ Special Security Agreement (SSA).
The acquisition, having received approval from both companies’ relevant bodies, is pending regulatory approvals and customary conditions. The transaction’s closure is anticipated in 2024.
Tags: Acquisition, Aerospace, Aerospace Legacy, Aerovel, Airbus, Ali Dian, Autonomous Flight Technology, Bruno Even, collaboration, Department of Defense, Expeditionary Missions, Flexrotor, Force Multiplier, Forest Fire Surveillance, GPS-Denied Environments, Ice Navigation, innovation, Interoperability, ISTAR, Manned-Unmanned Teaming, maritime security, Mission Capabilities, Parapublic Missions, Payload Integration, regulatory approvals, Special Security Agreement, Tactical Solutions, Tad McGeer, Technology Integration, Transaction Closing, Unmanned Aerial System, Unmanned Aviation, US Military, Vertical Takeoff and Landing, VSR700, VTOL
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Monday, April 29, 2024
