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 launched "Robinson Unmanned," a new business unit that consolidates its uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) activities and the acquired Ascent AeroSystems, signaling a major strategic pivot towards autonomous vertical flight systems.
Robinson Unmanned will develop and offer uncrewed variants of its R44 and R66 helicopters, including models for heavy-lift cargo, agricultural operations, and defense logistics using Sikorsky's Matrix autonomy system.
The unit will also provide three coaxial small UAS (Helius, Spirit, and Spartan) from Ascent AeroSystems, designed for diverse missions in challenging environments.
This expansion into autonomous aviation is expected to be a significant growth driver, with the company's CEO projecting the new unit could potentially surpass the scale of its traditional helicopter businesses.

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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.