Ascent AeroSystems, a developer of coaxial UAV technology, has expanded its portfolio with the introduction of HELIUS™, the company’s first sub-250g unmanned aerial system.
Known for its expertise in compact, high-performance coaxial drones, the company is now bringing its advanced engineering to the lightweight drone market.
Unveiled at VERTICON (formerly HAI Heli-Expo) in Dallas, Texas, HELIUS is an American-made, NDAA-compliant UAV designed to provide an affordable, AI-enabled solution for law enforcement, emergency response, government agencies, and industrial enterprises. The drone offers a reliable and capable alternative for operators seeking to upgrade or replace existing systems while ensuring compliance with regulatory and security requirements.
Peter Fuchs, Co-founder and CEO of Ascent AeroSystems, said, “Bringing our coaxial propulsion technology to a sub-250g platform while maintaining the durability, performance, and reliability Ascent products are known for has been one of the most rewarding challenges we’ve undertaken.
“HELIUS delivers unmatched capability in its class at a competitive price. It is the drone we’ve wanted to make from the beginning; small enough to fit in your pocket but powerful enough to meet the rigorous demands of public safety, emergency response, and critical industrial missions.”
David Smith, CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, added, “We know that the future of aviation isn’t about choosing between crewed and uncrewed systems—it’s about teaming. Our acquisition of Ascent AeroSystems was a strategic move to lead that evolution, HELIUS is a key step in realizing that vision.”
Fuchs added, “HELIUS expands our growing product line and sets a new benchmark for compact UAVs. For operators demanding durability, portability, and next-gen technology in a secure, American-Made sub-250g platform, this is the solution.”
Ascent’s HELIUS Features
- Ultra-portable, ultra-light weight airframe
- 4G/LTE connectivity
- AI-enabled obstacle avoidance & object tracking
- 4K, 12.3MB Electro Optical, Ultra-low-light sensor with digital tilt, pan and zoom
- Field-swappable, rechargeable batteries
- Up to 45mph max speed
- 30+ min endurance
