Skyryse, a leader in aviation automation and simplified flight controls, has today (Wednesday) announced a partnership with Robinson Helicopter Company, through its unmanned aircraft system (UAS) subsidiary Robinson Unmanned, to integrate SkyOS into the Robinson R66 and develop a Group 4 UAS for defence applications.
The collaboration combines SkyOS’s autonomy system with Robinson’s proven production capabilities to deliverable a scalable, cost-effective Group 4 UAS capable of supporting a wide range of defence missions, including collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), air-launched effects (ALE), manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Skyryse founder and CEO Mark Groden said: “Defence agencies need autonomous aircraft that are reliable, affordable and available now, not years from now. Robinson gives us the production infrastructure to deliver at scale and at a cost point that meets real-world, time-critical needs. This partnership accelerates our ability to put proven, SkyOS-powered autonomous aircraft into the hands of defence operators.”
With facilities within 30 miles of each other in Southern California, Robinson and Skyryse are positioned to rapidly advance integration, flight demonstrations, and production. Robinson’s manufacturing model, in which more than 85% of aircraft components are produced domestically, provides defence partners with a platform that reduces reliance on foreign supply chains and supports long-term fleet sustainability.
David Smith, President and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, said: “Manufacturing the SkyOS-powered, R66-based 4 UAS is a natural extension of what Robinson does best – producing reliable, high-quality aircraft at scale. By integrating SkyOS into Robinson’s production ecosystem, we’re helping bring advanced autonomy to a proven aircraft platform while creating a scalable pathway for future operational capabilities.”
