Robinson Helicopters is expanding and diversifying with the acquisition of Ascent Aerosystems, a maker of coaxial drones used in industrial, public safety and defense applications. Ascent, based in Wilmington, Massachusetts, is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Robinson, which makes its popular line of light helicopters in Torrance, California. In a news release, Robinson said the acquisition will enhance the company’s product lines, which will include crewed and uncrewed innovations.
“This strategic acquisition is in line with our vision to broaden our offerings and meet increasing local demand for enhanced mission capabilities in law enforcement, public safety, firefighting and defense,” said Robinson CEO David Smith. Ascent’s flagship product is the Spirit, “a compact modular, rugged, all-weather platform engineered to operate reliably in the most challenging environments, including high wind, heavy rain, sleet, snow and blowing sand.”
A smart move into the varied utilities of the drone industry. If Robinson can develop a price sensitive counter-rotating manned design following Kamov’s lead and as evidenced by drone design then that might shove them to a prominent position in the day in/day out mid lift category. Why waste energy on an anti torque system when it’s already available in the lift rotors? Seems like smart thinking!
Potentially good move. Learned long ago ya got’a embrace change. Not just for the sake of change but to stay out in front of it. Else you’ll find yourself in the ditch, on the side the road, as a competitor gives ya a single digit salute, and a wink, as they race on ahead. (grin)
Change is not always progress.
For more than 22 years I owned and flew a Robinson R22. As a commercial pilot most of my jobs were for photographers doing aerial shots of high end real estate, accident scenes for legal cases, and fine art aerials. I retired in 2014 just as drones were about to take over these jobs. A good time to retire. The R22 is still great training helicopter but too expensive for aerial photographers. Once lightweight high resolution mini cameras were developed no need for the helicopter. Good for Robinson Helicopters to diversify into this market. I can’t help wondering what Frank Robinson would think about it.