Ascent AeroSystems Launches AI-Enabled Sub-250g Coaxial Nano UAV

Ascent AeroSystems has unveiled HELIUS, a sub-250g AI-enabled UAV designed for law enforcement, emergency response, and industrial use, offering a compact, NDAA-compliant alternative to existing systems By Joe Macey / 13 Mar 2025

Nano Drone and Small UAV Platforms

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

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
Posted by Joe Macey Joseph Macey is a Content Specialist at Unmanned Systems Technology. Since joining in 2022, he has focused on emerging technologies in unmanned systems, with particular expertise in Counter-UAS, communication systems, and camera technologies. A graduate of Falmouth University in Journalism, Joseph began his career in 2019 as a local reporter. His journalism experience not only sharpens his reporting but also enhances his ability to conduct in-depth interviews, enabling him to deliver authoritative insights on the latest industry trends. Connect
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.