Safran, Urban Aeronautics sign deal for Cormorant drone

BORDES, France, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- Safran Helicopter Engines and Urban Aeronautics have signed a memo of understanding that will support development of the Cormorant drone, among other initiatives, Safran announced Wednesday.

Under the agreement, Safran will bring its technical and industrial expertise to bear in the development of the drone, which is being developed by Urban Aeronautics subsidiary Tactical Robotics and made its maiden flight in 2010.

The two companies will look at developments involving more powerful engines for the drone.

The deal will also study new market opportunities and power system solutions to support development of an entirely new platform family of internal rotor aircraft, Safran said in a statement.

The two companies will pursue their cooperation through pre-series and production phases of full scale, new vertical-lift manned and unmanned vehicles, especially those intended for urban use in the air taxi, medical evacuation and transport roles.

Formerly known as AirMule, the Cormorant's flight testing was expanded this summer.