Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Airbus Grows UAS Portfolio with Aerovel Acquisition
Aerovel produces the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system
Aerovel's Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system
Aerovel's Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system has been developed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions. © Airbus/Dianne Bond

Airbus Helicopters is expanding its uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) portfolio with the acquisition of Aerovel and its Flexrotor program. The vehicle is a small tactical UAS developed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions at sea and over land.

The transaction announced by the European aerospace group on Monday is expected to be completed in 2024 once regulatory approvals have been completed. Aerovel, based in Bingen, Washington, will remain a U.S.-owned company and continue to work with the U.S. Department of Defense under Airbus’ Special Security Agreement.