AeroVironment, CybAero enter into strategic relationship

AeroVironment has announced that it has entered into a strategic relationship with Sweden-based CybAero to develop and distribute a Tier II vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS). This system will be developed to meet existing requirements from multiple customers, and will pair the expertise of both companies in the international VTOL UAV market.

Under the agreement, AeroVironment will gain exclusive rights to provide CybAero systems to US customers and to government customers in NATO and other countries. AeroVironment has agreed to purchase up to $3 million in convertible notes from CybAero to facilitate the company’s growth.

According to AeroVironment, the agreement will better position both companies to meet emerging VTOL requirements from US military customers. These customers typically segment the numerous types of UAS they employ by size, weight, endurance and range into different tiers. Man-portable, hand-launched systems that weigh less than 20 pounds comprise the Tier I segment. Tier II UAS include heavier, larger and longer endurance systems with longer range; while Tiers III and IV include air vehicles of increasing size, capable of even longer endurance and range and requiring larger support teams and infrastructure requirements.

Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and UAS general manager, said: ‘CybAero is a pioneer and leader in the Tier II VTOL market. Our joint team has demonstrated this reliable, cost-effective Tier II UAS solution that will build on AeroVironment’s family of small UAS, expanding our customer offering. 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.

‘We are working with CybAero to integrate their product into our system solution and will invest to add critical capabilities required to bring the most competitive offering to market.’