Airbus Helicopters secures largest Flexrotor order to date at Paris Air show
Airbus Helicopters has secured its largest Flexrotor uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) order to date at Paris Air Show in France.
The Airbus subsidiary announced on June 18, 2025, that the agreement, comprising of six Flexrotor systems and 17 aircraft, was signed with Australian aerospace startup Drone Forge.
According to Airbus Helicopters, Flexrotor systems will be configured to meet a broad range of operational requirements in the Asia-Pacific region.
This includes littoral surveillance, high-altitude inland missions, infrastructure monitoring and maritime environment assessment.
“We are fully convinced that the Flexrotor, built on a strong engineering heritage, will allow us to tap into new markets with a proven solution where real-time intelligence, mission flexibility and reliability matters,” said Thomas Symes, CEO of Drone Forge. “We look forward to integrating and commercialising the Flexrotor systems in the region.”
Aerovel’s legacy of innovation continues with the Flexrotor, a multi-INT #UAS with long endurance for demanding ISR missions. Flexrotor’s endurance is 14-32 hours, payload dependent. Learn more about our 32 hour, 8 minute flight:https://t.co/Wh6mw57YCq pic.twitter.com/3GhqY9Emds— Aerovel Corporation (@AerovelCorp) October 19, 2021 Each UAS will feature a heavy fuel engine optimized for maritime operations, which Airbus said ensures “greater safety, fuel availability, and interoperability with naval assets”.
It will also incorporate Starlink connectivity, enabling beyond-line-of-sight operations and real-time situational awareness.
Additionally, the Flexrotor will be equipped with PT-6 imaging technology, providing stabilized, high-resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for efficient wide-area maritime monitoring.
“The landmark order opens a new chapter in our partnership with Drone Forge, reinforcing our shared commitment to delivering cutting-edge crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities to Asia-Pacific operators,” said Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President of Global Business at Airbus Helicopters. “With strong confidence in the Flexrotor’s efficiency and reliability, this force multiplier will drive operational excellence in defence and security applications.”
In January 2024, Airbus Helicopters completed a takeover of Washington-based long-range robotic aircraft company Aerovel, and acquired its game-changing unmanned drone.
Flexrotor is able to perform a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and can then transition into horizontal wing-borne flight.
The drone can be used by armed forces to carry out intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, and protect military bases with enemy alert capabilities.
With a maximum launch weight of 25kg, Flexrotor can execute missions for more than 12-14 hours in a typical operational configuration.
The drone only needs a launch/land area of 12 by 12ft and can operate from both land and sea with a real-time camera.
AeroTime editors and journalists are on the ground at Paris Air Show 2025 covering all the latest and biggest breaking news stories at this year’s event.
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Airbus Helicopters has secured its largest Flexrotor uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) order to date at Paris Air Show…
The post Airbus Helicopters secures largest Flexrotor order to date at Paris Air show appeared first on AeroTime.
