Robinson Helicopter Company has announced the formation of Robinson Unmanned, a new business unit dedicated to developing a full suite of remotely piloted and autonomous vertical lift aircraft.
The establishment of this division marks a significant structural shift for the manufacturer, transitioning it from a traditional rotorcraft company to a provider of scalable autonomous systems. Robinson Unmanned integrates the small, coaxial Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) from its subsidiary, Ascent AeroSystems, with larger platforms based on Robinson’s R44 and R66 airframes. These larger uncrewed systems are powered by strategic agreements with Rotor Technologies and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company.
By combining five decades of high-volume manufacturing expertise with modern autonomous technology, the company aims to provide reliable airframes for missions requiring accessible readiness. The portfolio features open architecture platforms that remain technology-agnostic, allowing for both remotely piloted and fully autonomous operations. Paul Fermo, the current president of Ascent AeroSystems, has been appointed to lead the new unit as president.
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 large UAS category includes Group 3 and 4 systems built on Robinson’s established manned helicopter engine, drivetrain, and rotor systems. This includes the R44 AIRTRUCK for heavy-lift cargo and surveillance, and the R44 SPRAYHAWK for precision aerial application in agriculture, both featuring the RPX autonomy suite by Rotor Technologies. Additionally, the R66 TURBINETRUCK is designed for defense logistics in austere environments, utilizing the Matrix autonomy system from Sikorsky.
The small UAS category consists of Group 1 and 2 NDAA-compliant aircraft. These include the HELIUS nano UAS for confined environments, the SPIRIT modular UAS for defense and inspection, and the SPARTAN high-performance platform 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 deployment of unmanned vertical lift. We are moving past the era of static solutions and instead championing rapid iteration and seamless technology integration. By focusing our engineering expertise on modular, open systems, and autonomy-agnostic platforms, we ensure our fleet evolves at the speed of the mission, not the speed of a traditional procurement cycle. Our competitive edge lies in Robinson’s vertically integrated manufacturing and scalability, which allows us to deliver aircraft-grade performance at a cost structure built for high-volume operations. Furthermore, our purpose-designed architecture allows us to scale effortlessly from single-system precision to complex, coordinated swarm missions.”
Robinson Unmanned will maintain all security and supply chain certifications previously earned by Ascent AeroSystems, including CMMC Level 2 and Blue UAS status for the SPIRIT. For existing customers and partners, the transition ensures continuity across all product support and technical roadmaps.
“Unmanned systems are not a departure from our heritage,” Smith added. “They are a continuation of it. The same commitment to safety, reliability, and performance that has defined Robinson helicopters for more than 50 years now extends across our uncrewed platforms. Together with Paul Fermo, Robinson Helicopter and Robinson Unmanned will scale integrated vertical flight for the next 50 years, in this new ‘Era of Both.’”
