Unmanned aerial systems will expand in Airbus Helicopters' portfolio following the acquisition of Aerovel.
Airbus Helicopters and Aerovel, a leading autonomous flight technology company, have announced a significant collaboration that promises to revolutionize tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and manned-unmanned teaming concepts.
The collaboration will see Aerovel's expertise in autonomous flight technology complement Airbus Helicopters' UAS development with the VSR700 and the Aerovel Flexrotor.
The VSR700: A Naval Powerhouse
The VSR700, a larger unmanned helicopter designed for naval use, offers over-the-horizon ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities and potentially armed support. It can be deployed from ships such as the Patrouilleurs Hauturiers, extending operational reach from maritime vessels. The VSR700 integrates seamlessly with manned assets like the Airbus H160M helicopter, enabling collaborative missions where unmanned systems can perform prolonged surveillance or risk-prone tasks while manned helicopters provide support or rapid response.
The Flexrotor: A Small but Mighty Force Multiplier
The Aerovel Flexrotor, on the other hand, is a small tactical VTOL drone with a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kg. Designed for ISR missions lasting 12 to 14 hours, it offers vertical takeoff and landing capability. Its endurance and flexibility make it a valuable force multiplier for tactical units, providing persistent surveillance without the logistical demands of larger UAVs or manned aircraft. The Flexrotor supports manned-unmanned teaming by supplying real-time intelligence and situational awareness to ground or naval forces with minimal footprint and rapid deployment.
A Powerful Combination
This partnership expands operational endurance and range for ISR missions via the VSR700’s shipborne capability and the Flexrotor’s long-endurance VTOL design. It enhances force multiplication by deploying small autonomous systems like the Flexrotor to cover surveillance gaps with minimal human risk. The collaboration also enables manned-unmanned teaming, allowing close coordination where unmanned vehicles perform reconnaissance or surveillance while manned units engage or respond, improving battlefield awareness and operational effectiveness.
Acquisition and Future Prospects
Airbus Helicopters has recently acquired Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system, the Flexrotor. This acquisition aligns with Airbus Helicopters' vision to expand its UAS offering and respond to a growing customer demand worldwide for additional mission capabilities. The Flexrotor, with its unique features such as its ability to launch and recover from either land or sea with minimal footprint, will continue to be a mission-proven, force multiplier for operations in harsh, high-threat, GPS-denied environments.
The acquisition is expected to close in 2024, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. Aerovel, based in Bingen, Washington, will remain a US-owned company, continuing its collaboration with the US DoD under Airbus' Special Security Agreement. The Flexrotor will continue to be used for various missions, including ISTAR, parapublic missions, and operations in harsh, high-threat, GPS-denied environments.
This collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and Aerovel promises to provide layered, flexible intelligence and operational support across domains, particularly in maritime and tactical environments.
The collaboration between Airbus Helicopters and Aerovel expands their strategic partnership, leveraging Aerovel's expertise in autonomous flight technology to bolster Airbus Helicopters' offerings in the aerospace and finance sectors, focusing on tactical unmanned aerial vehicles. The VSR700, Airbus Helicopters' naval-focused UAV, will be complemented by Aerovel's Flexrotor, a small yet powerful VTOL drone useful for extended ISR missions in diverse environments.
