Ascent AeroSystems
About
About Ascent AeroSystems
Ascent AeroSystems builds rugged coaxial drones around a cylindrical airframe and quick-connect payload architecture. Spirit serves portable multi-mission work and is approved in the US Blue UAS programme, while Spartan extends the former NX30 design to longer-range BVLOS missions with heavier payloads and all-weather operation.
Robinson Helicopter acquired Ascent in 2024 and now operates it within Robinson Unmanned. Ascent retains its small-UAS product line while gaining an aerospace manufacturing and support parent that is expanding from compact drones into autonomous helicopter platforms.
Products
Operations
Orders & commitments
- Order / commitment
2019-04-29 - Ascent AeroSystems named Dynetics as the launch customer for Spirit.
Source
Supply
Supply chain relationships
- Sony
Inbound - Sensing Perception - Sony ILX-LR1 is an optional camera configuration offered for Ascent's Spirit UAV
Source - Autonodyne
Inbound - Compute & Control - Autonodyne's autonomy software was integrated with Ascent's Spirit for single-operator, multi-vehicle control
Source - NextVision Stabilized Systems Ltd.
Inbound - Sensing Perception - Ascent offers Spirit configurations with NextVision DragonEye2 or NightHawk2-UZ EO/IR payloads
Source - Gremsy
Inbound - Sensing Perception - Gremsy ViO F1 is an optional EO/IR payload configuration offered for Ascent's Spirit UAV
Source - AgEagle Aerial Systems
Inbound - robotics sensors - MicaSense RedEdge-P is integrated and available to order as an optional Ascent Spirit multispectral camera configuration
Source
Timeline
Events
- 2026-10-13 - Contract Award - Ascent AeroSystems wins SPIRIT supply contract for Nepali Army
The award includes base and payload kits, additional aircraft hardware, spares, extended warranty coverage and operator training. SPIRIT is a Blue UAS-cleared, NDAA-compliant coaxial platform with a modular open architecture. Robinson Unmanned will support the supply programme; the release does not disclose aircraft quantities or contract value.
Source - 2025-05-23 - Partnership - Gremsy and Ascent AeroSystems partner on integrated UAV imaging
The companies agreed to combine aircraft and stabilized payload technologies. The scope is next-generation integrated UAV systems.
Source - 2024-04-23 - Acquisition - Robinson acquires Ascent AeroSystems
Ascent became a wholly owned Robinson Helicopter subsidiary. The acquisition added compact coaxial UAS for industrial, public-safety and defense applications. Robinson said Ascent aircraft could scale through its vertically integrated Torrance manufacturing facility.
Source - 2021-08-12 - Partnership - Exyn and Ascent AeroSystems partner on next-generation UAV solutions
Announced a strategic partnership to build next-generation autonomous UAV solutions Combined Exyn autonomy software with Ascent's UAV hardware
Source - 2019-04-29 - Product Launch - Ascent AeroSystems launches Spirit coaxial drone
The three-pound core was specified to carry more than ten pounds, while a two-battery configuration with a two-pound payload was rated for more than 50 minutes of flight. Quick-connect fittings on the top and bottom support configurable batteries and payloads for public-safety, military and intelligence missions. Dynetics had used Ascent coaxial technology for more than a year and selected Spirit as its launch customer platform.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- Gremsy
Qualified Robotics Relationship - Gremsy and Ascent AeroSystems partnered to develop integrated UAV imaging solutions.
- Exyn
Technology Partner - Ascent AeroSystems and Exyn Technologies partnered on UAV solutions.
Context
Shared workflows
- Tornyol
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- Voltair
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- Brumby
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- Buoyant Aero
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workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- Dedrone
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- Department 13
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- Aerix Systems
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- Drone City
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- FireSwarm Solutions
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- Marble Aerospace
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- Nearthlab
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- WaveAerospace
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
- Flyby Robotics
workflow adjacency - Autonomous Drone Companies
Context tags
- Autonomous drone systems participation - Workflow - Ascent AeroSystems — Companies building or operating autonomous drone systems.
Commercial
- Ascent AeroSystems wins SPIRIT supply contract for Nepali Army
2026-10-13 · Order / contract · Ascent AeroSystems received a firm-fixed-price Foreign Military Sales award through NAVAIR to supply SPIRIT unmanned aircraft systems to the Nepali Army.
Source