Airbus announces takeover of Aerovel
Airbus has finalized its acquisition of US-based uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) developer Aerovel
The takeover includes Aerovel’s staff of over 30 employees, as well as the company’s facilities in Bingen, Washington.
It also includes Aerovel’s Flexrotor UAS, which is designed for “intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions over sea and land”.
The Flexrotor can be also be used to support parapublic missions like forest fire surveillance, law enforcement, and border control.
The Flexrotor vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS has a maximum launch weight of 25kg, and can operate for around 12 to 14 hours in standard configuration. It can be fitted with a range of payloads, including advanced sensors, and requires only a 3.7m2 area for launch and recovery.
“We see more and more armed forces and parapublic agencies around the world looking to investigate how unmanned aerial systems can strengthen their intelligence and surveillance capabilities,” said Mathilde Royer, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Airbus Helicopters.
She added that the Flexrotor will complement Airbus’s existing VSR700 remotely piloted helicopter.
It follows the takeover of fellow UAS firm Ascent AeroSystems by Robinson Helicopter Company last month.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca was a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.