Airbus Helicopters' new Flexrotor drone provides real time intelligence for tactical operations.

At SOFINS 2025, Airbus Helicopters is presenting its full range of tactical unmanned aerial systems, including the Aliaca VTOL, VSR700, Flexrotor, and Capa X. These drones are designed to cover a wide set of operational needs and are intended to work in coordination with Airbus’ manned helicopters. Among them, the Flexrotor is introduced as a compact, tactical vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS) suitable for operations on both land and sea.
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With the inclusion of the Flexrotor, Airbus expands its UAS portfolio to include a lightweight, rapidly deployable system suitable for long-endurance operations across a broad range of mission profiles. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Flexrotor is classified as a Group 2 small tactical UAS with a maximum launch weight of 25 kilograms. It is capable of autonomous vertical takeoff and landing within a 3.7 by 3.7 meter area. The airframe features a 2-meter body, a 3-meter wingspan, and a 2.2-meter rotor diameter. Powered by a 28cc two-stroke engine, it supports an 8-kilogram payload and has an average mission endurance of 12 to 14 hours. The system is designed for expeditionary deployments and can be stored, transported, and launched within 30 minutes. The Flexrotor does not require specialized launch or recovery equipment and can be deployed from confined land areas or maritime platforms without flight decks. The hover ceiling at maximum weight with landing legs retracted is 1,300 meters, and the dash speed is 140 km/h.

Flexrotor missions include intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR); maritime surveillance; signal intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic intelligence (ELINT); search and rescue; communications relay; and various parapublic and civil applications. These include firefighting, infrastructure monitoring, border security, humanitarian response, precision agriculture, geo mapping, marine science, and wildlife observation. The platform is compatible with over 100 types of payloads, such as electro-optical systems, infrared cameras, methane detectors, ground and sea sensors, and mobile data relays. Payload selection depends on the operational requirement.

Airbus finalized the acquisition of U.S.-based Aerovel in May 2024. Aerovel, headquartered in Bingen, Washington, is the original designer and manufacturer of the Flexrotor. The acquisition was part of Airbus’ strategy to expand its tactical unmanned aerial systems offerings. Aerovel currently employs over 30 personnel and operates within an existing UAS manufacturing ecosystem. Production and design of the Flexrotor will continue in Bingen. According to Airbus, the Flexrotor complements existing systems such as the VSR700, particularly in hybrid missions involving manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T). The acquisition supports Airbus’ objective to offer interoperable platforms capable of operating jointly with its manned rotary-wing aircraft.

Flexrotor has been used in operations contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense, including maritime security exercises and deployment in harsh, high-threat, GPS-denied environments. The system has been fielded for parapublic missions such as forest fire surveillance, where it provides day and night imagery to support firefighting operations. Other applications include ice navigation, border patrol, law enforcement, and ship navigation support in Arctic conditions. The system was observed launching from the USS Paul Hamilton.

The broader Airbus UAS strategy includes both organic development and acquisitions. The VSR700, developed through a cooperation with the French defence procurement agency (DGA), is part of this approach. A dedicated UAS directorate was established in Les Milles, Aix-en-Provence, in 2018. The VSR700 has completed a full campaign aboard a French Navy frigate and is integrated with systems from partners including Hélicoptères Guimbal (airframe), Diades Marine (radar), and Naval Group (mission software). Airbus has developed a number of UAS-related technologies such as autonomous mission systems and deck landing aids like the Deck Finder, the latter developed by Airbus Defence and Space. The VSR700 is intended to be capable of maritime intelligence and reconnaissance operations and will be adapted to include additional missions such as cargo transport and anti-submarine warfare.

Manned-unmanned teaming remains a central element of Airbus’ long-term development roadmap. According to Nicolas Delmas, Head of UAS and the VSR programme at Airbus Helicopters, the increase in drone deployment in current conflicts has demonstrated the value of UAS in conducting missions in what are defined as dull, dirty, and dangerous environments. The strategy includes integrating unmanned systems with helicopters and fixed-wing platforms, enhancing situational awareness and reducing operator workload. The ability to conduct cooperative operations and to exchange data in contested environments is identified as a key capability under development.

In support of interoperability, Airbus is participating in the Musher project under the European Defence Fund. The project aims to create a scalable European manned-unmanned teaming system for training and operations involving UAVs and manned helicopters from different European Union armed forces. The first phase of the project is scheduled for October 2024. Airbus targets 2027 as the timeframe for introducing its first interoperability features to customers. As part of this effort, Airbus continues to coordinate its UAS development with Airbus Defence and Space to integrate compatible systems and technologies across platforms.