罗宾逊直升机公司成立无人机业务部门
罗宾逊直升机公司宣布成立 Robinson Unmanned（罗宾逊无人系统），这是一个致力于开发和支持全套远程驾驶及自主飞行器的新业务单元。这一举措标志着公司的重大结构转型，从传统的旋翼机制造商转变为可扩展、自主垂直飞行系统的供应商。
业务整合与平台优势
新部门将公司目前的业务扩展到包括针对民用、商业和国防领域的多种有人/无人垂直升力解决方案。该部门整合了子公司 Ascent AeroSystems 的同轴、模块化小型无人机系统，以及基于现有 R44 和 R66 机身构建的较大型无人平台。这些大型平台通过与 Rotor Technologies 和西科斯基直升机公司的战略协议提供动力支持。
核心战略与领导层
该部门由保罗·费尔莫领导。通过将五十年的大批量制造经验与先进的自主技术相结合，该部门旨在为需要随时待命的任务提供可靠、大批量的机身。
罗宾逊直升机公司总裁兼首席执行官大卫·史密斯表示：“罗宾逊正式进入‘两者兼备’的时代，这是一个根本性的转变，飞行不再是人类直觉与机器精度之间的选择，而是两者的无缝结合。通过将 R44 远程驾驶方案纳入我们现有的机队，我们正在创建一个经过认证、成熟机身的通用生态系统，能够应对任何任务需求。我们的目标不仅是制造更好的直升机，而是构建更聪明、更安全的垂直起降（VTOL）解决方案。”
Robinson Helicopter Company has established Robinson Unmanned, a new business unit dedicated to developing and supporting a full suite of remotely piloted and autonomous aircraft.
This move marks a significant structural shift for the company, transitioning from a traditional rotorcraft manufacturer to a provider of scalable, autonomous vertical flight systems. The new division expands the company’s current business to include a wide range of manned and unmanned vertical lift solutions for civil, commercial, and defense sectors. Robinson Unmanned integrates the coaxial, modular, small UAS from subsidiary Ascent AeroSystems with larger uncrewed platforms built on the existing R44 and R66 airframes. These larger platforms are powered by strategic agreements with Rotor Technologies and Sikorsky Helicopters.
The division is led by Paul Fermo, current president of Ascent AeroSystems, who serves as president of Robinson Unmanned. By combining five decades of high-volume manufacturing expertise with advanced autonomous technology, the unit aims to provide reliable, high-volume airframes for missions requiring accessible readiness.
David Smith, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, said, “Robinson is officially entering the ‘Era of Both,’ a fundamental shift where flight is no longer a choice between human intuition and machine precision, but the seamless integration of both. By folding the Rotor Technologies R44 remotely piloted solutions into our existing fleet of Ascent small and technology-agnostic, heavy-lift drones, we are creating a versatile ecosystem of certified, proven airframes capable of tackling any mission profile. Our goal isn’t just to build better helicopters; it’s to build smarter, safer VTOL solutions. By fusing human expertise with autonomous reliability, we are massively amplifying mission capability while significantly reducing operational risk. In environments where the danger is highest, our technology is at its strongest, ensuring that we aren’t just protecting the pilot, but redefining what’s possible.”
The product fleet is categorized into large and small UAS platforms. The Large UAS category includes Group 3 and 4 aircraft using common engine, drivetrain, and rotor systems from Robinson manned helicopters. This includes the R44 AIRTRUCK for cargo and surveillance, the R44 SPRAYHAWK for agricultural operations, both featuring the RPX autonomy suite by Rotor Technologies, and the R66 TURBINETRUCK for defense logistics, which utilizes the Matrix autonomy system from Sikorsky.
Spirit coaxial rotor VTOL UAS from Ascent Aerosystems.
The Small UAS category consists of Group 1 and 2 NDAA-compliant coaxial aircraft. These include the HELIUS nano UAS, the SPIRIT multi-mission UAS, and the SPARTAN high-performance platform designed for extended endurance and multi-sensor integration.
Paul Fermo, President of Robinson Unmanned, added, “At Robinson Unmanned our primary mission is to expand customer capability through mass depl
