Robinson Unveils Family of Self-Flying Helicopters

Manufacturer is integrating autonomy systems on its flagship R44 and R66 models.

Jack Daleo

Friday, March 20, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Robinson Unmanned’s R44 Airtruck is an autonomous variant of the company’s flagship helicopter. [Credit: Robinson Unmanned]

Key Takeaways:

Robinson Helicopter has established "Robinson Unmanned," a new business unit merging its uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) activities with its Ascent AeroSystems acquisition, marking a significant strategic shift toward autonomous vertical flight.
This unit will offer autonomous variants of its R44 (for heavy-lift cargo and agricultural operations) and the R66 "Turbinetruck" (for defense logistics, integrated with Sikorsky’s Matrix autonomy system).
Robinson Unmanned will also provide three coaxial small UAS from Ascent and aims to become a leading provider of scalable, autonomous vertical flight systems, with leadership expecting it to surpass traditional businesses in size.

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Robinson Helicopter has produced conventional rotorcraft for more than half a century. But the company is making autonomous and remotely piloted aircraft a key part of its future.

Robinson this month formally combined its uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) activities and Ascent AeroSystems subsidiary, acquired in 2024, to form Robinson Unmanned—a developer of small drones as well as self-flying helicopters built around its flagship R44 and R66.