Airbus Helicopters has finalised the acquisition of US-based Aerovel and its Flexrotor unmanned aerial system (UAS) 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.
Explaining the thinking behind the acquisition, Mathilde Royer-Germain, Head of Strategy and Sustainability at Airbus Helicopters, said: “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.”
