AeroVironment, CybAero in UAS deal

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MONROVIA, Calif., Dec. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. and Swedish companies have entered into a strategic agreement for the development and distribution of Tier II VTOL unmanned aerial systems.

AeroVironment said that under the agreement it will invest as much as $3 million in convertible notes into CybAero of Sweden and will distribute larger, longer endurance vertical takeoff and landing UAS aircraft by CybAero worldwide.

"CybAero is a pioneer and leader in the Tier II VTOL market," said Roy Minson, AeroVironment senior vice president and Unmanned Aircraft Systems general manager. "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," he said.

Tier 1 systems are man-portable, hand-launched aircraft such as AeroVironment's RQ-11B Raven, RQ-20A Puma AE and Wasp and weigh less than 20 pounds. Tier II UAS include heavier, larger and longer endurance systems such as CybAero's VTOL offering.