Photonics HandbookThe News Wire
FLIR’s acquisition expands unmanned systems solutions
FLIR Systems
Inc. has acquired Aeryon Labs Inc., a
primary designer and manufacturer
of high-performance small unmanned
aerial systems (UASs), for $200 million.
The acquisition is part of FLIR System’s
long-term strategy to widen their unmanned
systems solutions capabilities.
Aeryon Labs Inc. is a primary designer and manufacturer of high-performance small unmanned aerial systems (UASs). Aeryon Labs’ SkyRanger tablet transmits instantaneous high-resolution ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) proficiency to the user. Courtesy of Aeryon Labs Inc.
“The acquisition of Aeryon Labs
reinforces our long-term strategy to
move beyond providing sensors, to the
development of complete solutions that
save lives and livelihoods,” said Jim
Cannon, FLIR president and CEO.
“This acquisition, coupled with our
acquisition of Prox Dynamics in 2016,
greatly increases our unmanned systems
solutions capabilities, expanding
beyond nano-UAS into Group 1 UAS
solutions for military. We intend to
continue to invest and build this area
of our business and broaden our
capabilities as we view unmanned
and autonomous solutions to be a
significant opportunity for organic
growth in the coming years.”
Aeryon’s field-tested UASs set the
standard for real-time, secure, aerial
intelligence across a wide range of
critical applications, from tactical
missions to search and rescue to
infrastructure inspections. Aeryon’s
drones are built for military, public
safety, and industrial customers around
the world and feature multiple sensors,
including FLIR thermal technology, to
provide the user with instantaneous
high-resolution intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance (ISR)
proficiency. The renowned SkyRanger
family of aircraft has received additions
that establish a new benchmark for
small UAS performance and reliability.
SkyRanger R70 is one of Aeryon’s latest field-tested UAS systems. Courtesy of Aeryon Labs Inc.
“We’re thrilled to join the FLIR family
and to have a large, growth-oriented
technology company as our new
home,” said Dave Kroetsch, co-founder
and chief technical officer of Aeryon
Labs. “As drone technology and its
markets evolve, customers are
seeking UAS as just one component of
a broader solution. While Aeryon has
been evolving in that direction for
the past few years, being part of FLIR
Systems brings a path to include
our hardware and software technologies
in much bigger solutions than
would have ever been possible on
our own.”
Aeryon Labs has been assimilated
into the FLIR Government and
Defense Business Unit’s Unmanned
Systems and Integrated Solutions
division. FLIR predicts the strategic
acquisition to produce a reduction in
earnings for the year 2019 because
of the initial investments in product
development investments. They predict
a steady growth in following years.
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