Airbus Helicopters Agrees to Buy Aerovel to Expand UAS Portfolio

Airbus Helicopters has agreed to acquire Aerovel, a Bingen, Washington-based robotic aircraft manufacturer, in a deal aimed at expanding the Airbus subsidiary’s portfolio of tactical unmanned aerial system offerings.

The deal will include Aerovel’s Flexrotor vertical takeoff and landing UAS designed to support land and sea-based intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance missions, Airbus said Monday.

“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,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

According to Even, Aerovel’s autonomous flight technology will complement the development of Airbus’ VSR700 tactical UAS development and the company’s work to build interoperability.

Flexrotor has a maximum launch weight of 25 kg and can accommodate payloads such as an electro-optical system and advanced sensors.

Under the agreement, Aerovel will remain a U.S.-owned company and continue its work with the Department of Defense under Airbus’ special security agreement.

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