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Airbus finalizes acquisition of Aerovel and its UAS Flexrotor
May 9, 2024 By Helicopters Staff
Aerovel currently employs more than 30 people and will continue to design and manufacture the Flexrotor in Bingen, Washington. The Flexrotor is seen here during USS Paul Hamilton IMX23 Operations. (Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Elliot Schaudt) Airbus finalized the acquisition of U.S.-based Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor, in a move to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions. Flexrotor is a small tactical unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land.
“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.
“The Flexrotor, as a vertical takeoff and landing UAS, fits into our strategy to expand our UAS offerings,” continued Royer. “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 described by Airbus as a modern Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft with a maximum launch weight of 25 kg (55 lbs). It has been designed for ISTAR missions of more than 12 to 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’ unique mission needs.
With the ability to autonomously launch and recover from either land or sea requiring only a 3.7 by 3.7 m (12 by 12 ft.) area, Airbus explains the Flexrotor is ideal for expeditionary missions requiring minimal footprint. Through the support of the US Department of Defense (DoD), and contracted deployment in a variety of maritime security exercises, the Flexrotor is a mission-proven, force multiplier for operations in harsh, high-threat, GPS-denied environments.
The Flexrotor is also being operated for parapublic missions such as forest fire surveillance (providing firefighters with images day or night) and can address other demanding mission needs, including ice navigation (helping guide naval vessels through ice in the Arctic ocean), law enforcement, and border patrol.
