Aerovel

Aerovel is a drone maker based in Bingen, Washington, United States, founded in 2006 by Tad McGeer, who remains the company's chief technology officer. Its sole aircraft, the Flexrotor, is a small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) tactical unmanned aerial system developed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance missions on land and at sea for US and allied forces.

Airbus Helicopters, the helicopter division of the European aerospace group Airbus, agreed to acquire Aerovel in January 2024 and completed the deal in May 2024. Aerovel continues to operate from its Bingen facility as a US-owned company under Airbus' Special Security Agreement, allowing it to keep working with the US Department of Defense. Airbus has said Flexrotor will operate alongside its own VSR700 optionally piloted helicopter as part of a wider push into manned-unmanned teaming.