Northrop Grumman [NOC] March 31 said its subsidiary Remotec Inc. and AirRobot US have entered into a distribution agreement for AirRobot’s line of small-unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Under the agreement, Remotec is the sole reseller of these products to the first responder and law enforcement market in the United States.

AirRobot Photo: Northrop Grumman
AirRobot
Photo: Northrop Grumman

The companies also are working to integrate Remotec’s unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and AirRobot’s aerial systems to create new ground/air capabilities that meet a wide range of operational requirements.

As part of the agreement, which began in early March, Remotec also will provide service, maintenance and technical support for all AirRobot systems in the United States. 

“This distributorship arrangement gives our customers access to a best-in-class small vertical takeoff and landing [VTOL] UAS product line that represents some of the most mature technology in the industry with a decade-long track record,” said Walt Werner, a director for Remotec. “AirRobot systems complement Remotec’s UGVs to enhance our customer’s mission effectiveness both on the ground and in the air.”

AirRobot produces electrical powered multi-copter systems that can carry a payload weighing up to seven pounds and fly for as long as 50 minutes. The systems can also carry a wide range of payloads–including multi-spectral cameras and recorders, synthetic aperture radar, gas and chemical sensors–and as many as three payloads simultaneously.

“We are proud to collaborate with Remotec, the largest provider of robots to the first responder market,” said Thomas Meyer, president of AirRobot US. “The products and capabilities perfectly complement each other, with each system providing increased operational value for the other. We also share and value Remotec’s commitment to the highest level of customer service.”

AirRobot US is a unit of Germany’s AirRobot ® GmbH & Co. KG. The systems, in production since 2004, are based on the company’s proven proprietary flight management system. Hundreds of systems are in service and have flown thousands of missions in military, public and commercial applications worldwide. The systems are certified for compliance with NATO standards and have undergone testing by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.