Airbus has completed the acquisition of U.S.-based Aerovel, incorporating its Flexrotor unmanned aerial system (UAS) into Airbus’s tactical unmanned solutions. The Flexrotor is a small, tactical UAS designed specifically for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions applicable both at sea and over land.
Mathilde Royer, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Airbus Helicopters, explained the strategic importance of the acquisition: “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. The Flexrotor, as a vertical takeoff and landing UAS, fits into our strategy to expand our UAS offerings. 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 Flexrotor is a cutting-edge Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft with a maximum launch weight of 25 kg (55 lbs), capable of executing ISTAR missions for over 12-14 hours in a typical operational configuration. It is equipped to carry various payloads, including electro-optical systems and advanced sensors, tailored to meet diverse mission requirements. Its design allows for autonomous launch and recovery from both land and sea in a compact area, making it exceptionally suited for expeditionary missions with minimal logistical footprints.
Supported by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and tested in numerous maritime security exercises, the Flexrotor has proven itself as a versatile and robust asset in harsh, high-threat, and GPS-denied environments. It is currently used in parapublic missions such as forest fire surveillance, providing critical real-time visual data to firefighters, and has applications in ice navigation to assist naval vessels in the Arctic, as well as in law enforcement and border patrol.
Aerovel, which employs over 30 people, will continue to operate out of Bingen, Washington, benefiting from a well-established UAS ecosystem. This acquisition not only signifies Airbus’s commitment to advancing its UAS portfolio but also enhances its ability to meet the evolving needs of global defense and public safety operations.
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