Airbus finalizes Aerovel acquisition

Airbus (Marignane, France) has finalized the acquisition of Aerovel (Bingen, Wash., U.S.) and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor, in a move to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions. Flexrotor is a small, tactical UAS designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land. While material use is not confirmed, it is very possible that the aircraft is fabricated from carbon fiber in some capacity.

“We see more armed forces and parapublic agencies around the world looking to investigate how UAS can strengthen their intelligence and surveillance capabilities. The Flexrotor, as a vertical takeoff and landing [VTOL] UAS, fits into our strategy to expand our UAS offerings,” says Mathilde Royer, head of strategy and sustainability at Airbus Helicopters. “Together with the VSR700, we will continue to develop manned-unmanned teaming to offer our customers the enhanced and expanded mission capabilities that they require to monitor and safeguard their communities and critical infrastructure, while preserving essential assets such as helicopters.”

The VTOL Flexrotor, with a maximum launch weight of 25 kilograms, has been designed for ISTAR missions for more than 12-14 hours in a typical operational configuration. It can integrate different types of payloads including an electro-optical system and advanced sensors to suit customers’ mission needs. With the ability to autonomously launch and recover from either land or sea requiring only a 12 × 12-foot area for launch and recovery, the Flexrotor is ideal for expeditionary missions requiring a minimal footprint.

Through the support of the U.S, Department of Defense (DOD), and contracted deployment in a variety of maritime security exercises, the Flexrotor has become mission-proven force multiplier for operations in harsh, high-threat, GPS-denied environments. It can also be used for parapublic missions such as forest fire surveillance (providing firefighters with critical images day or night) and ice navigation (helping guide naval vessels through ice in the Arctic ocean).

Aerovel currently employs more than 30 people and presents a significant growth trajectory. It will continue to design and manufacture the Flexrotor in Bingen, Washington, in an existing and mature UAS ecosystem.