AeroVironment [AVAV], a developer and manufacturer of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that can be hand-launched, this week said it has made a $3 million investment in the Swedish UAV firm CybAero AB, a deal that gives it exclusive rights to offer larger vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS in the United States, NATO and other countries to meet market demand.
California-based AeroVironment will invest up to $3 million in CybAero convertible notes. The U.S. company makes man-portable and hand-launched UAS, which weigh less than 20 pounds, and make up the Tier I category of UAS. AeroVironment’s products include the RQ-11B Raven, RQ-20A Puma AE, and Wasp AE.
CybAero’s VTOL UAS offering is the APID 60, which fits into the Tier II segment of heavier, larger and longer range and endurance systems. CybAero says the unmanned autonomous APID 60 helicopter can carry a variety of payloads and is light and small enough to be transported in a trailer or small truck.
“CybAero is a pioneer and leader in the Tier II VTOL market,” Roy Minson, AeroVironment’s senior vice president and UAS general manager, said in a statement. “With its significantly greater endurance and payload capacity, small footprint and ease of use, this new system will join our family of UAS and deliver a robust vertical takeoff and landing capability to current and new customers seeking that Tier II solution.”