Cassidian buys SurveyCopter

PARIS, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- Cassidian of Germany has acquired SurveyCopter of France to boost its unmanned aerial vehicle business.

Cassidian, part of the EADS group, plans to launch an industrial segment dedicated to tactical UAVs and light UAVs, including vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, to better match a growing demand of the sector in military and private mission environments.

The addition of SurveyCopter enhances the commercial possibilities in targeted export markets such as India or the Middle East, it said.

SurveyCopter, a business partner with Cassidian since 2003, is a leading company in the domains of hostile environment robotic and autopilot.

"With this acquisition, Cassidian continues to expand its UAV capabilities and its global market approach, targeting new businesses in the small UAV segment," said Cassidian Chief Executive Officer Stefan Zoller.

SurveyCopter CEO Pierre Tantot added, "We are very proud to definitely join the Cassidian UAV team, bringing in our unique expertise on light UAVs, which represent a growing part of the market."