Ascent AeroSystems

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Compact, American-Made, All-Weather Drones Designed To Fly When Others Can’t, No Matter The Mission United States of America
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Ascent AeroSystems

Compact, American-Made, All-Weather Drones Designed To Fly When Others Can’t, No Matter The Mission

Ascent Aerosystems is a leading developer of high-performance UAS (unmanned aerial systems) based on unique coaxial rotor drone technology. Designed and built in the U.S., our rugged and highly portable platforms are ideal for a variety of mission-critical applications.

Coaxial drone

Compact Coaxial Drone Design

Modular backpack drone with multiple payloads

lightweight drone

The Spirit UAS features a proven coaxial design with a compact cylindrical airframe that can be easily carried in a backpack and quickly assembled and disassembled in the field.

With the ability to carry multiple payloads on the same mission, Spirit can be used as a replacement for multiple unmanned aircraft that need to be operated separately. With unmatched portability and an extremely low operational footprint, the lightweight modular drone can take off from and land on any type of terrain.

all weather drone

All-Weather Drone

High-performance operation in challenging environments

compact droneThe Spirit’s performance exceeds expectations for lightweight drones in its weight class, with a 10-pound payload and battery carrying capacity and a top speed of over 60 miles per hour.

The rugged, highly dependable coaxial drone delivers reliable operation even in the most challenging of situations, with the ability to withstand heavy wind and rain, snow, sleet and sand.

Coaxial rotor drone

spirit drone

Ascent AeroSystems coaxial drone

Versatile modular payloads for multi-mission capabilities

The Spirit’s modular drone design has been engineered to support a growing ecosystem of current and future payloads, with two identical attach points on the top and bottom of the drone that allow easy plug-and-play connection. This versatile system allows you to bring what you need, when and where you need it, with no tradeoffs.

Top-mounted payload

bottom-mounted payload

dual payload configuration

Payloads, power sources and launch methods all connect and disconnect with a simple twist, allowing you to create a multitude of different configurations and equip Spirit for missions that would not be possible with conventional drone airframes. Power and data are distributed to the top and bottom of the drone’s core, with connectivity including Pixhawk, high-speed Ethernet, and HDMI.

Modular DronePayload options include:

  • A wide range of advanced RGB, thermal and EO/IR sensors
  • Airframe enhancements for tethered operations, high speed, extended range flight and more
  • Ultra-high density lithium-ion batteries
  • Landing gear modules with pass-through capabilities

Find out more about the rugged and highly portable Spirit UAS platform

NX30 UAS

Compact coaxial rotor drone for all-weather delivery

NX3 UASBased on the same proven coaxial rotor technology as the Spirit, the NX30 packs unprecedented carrying capacity into a compact cylindrical footprint. With enhanced flight time, range, speed and payload capabilities, the IP56-rated platform is ideal for critical cargo transport under all weather conditions.

Weighing just 8 lbs when empty, the NX30 is easy to transport, and can carry up to 15.3 lbs of payload. It can be provided with a range of C2 equipment, including tactical datalinks from Microhard, Silvus, Persistent Systems and Doodle Labs.

Find out more about the compact NX30 coaxial rotor drone

Designed and built in the USA

NDAA Compliant

  • EO 13981 compliant
  • Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) for both hardware and software
  • Multiple radio, sensor and GCS options
  • Customizable for specialty payloads

NDAA compliant UAS

Ascent AeroSystems is the world’s only manufacturer of NDAA-compliant, dual-use coaxial unmanned aerial vehicles. Designing and building its family of dual-use small UAVs in the northeastern United States since 2014, Ascent was acquired by commercial helicopter OEM Robinson Helicopter Company in April 2024. Today, backed by Robinson’s more that 50-years of FAA-certified manufacturing expertise, Ascent’s UAVs – including both the Spirit and NX30 – are produced at the Robinson manufacturing facility using the same materials, processes, and standards found in the production of type-certificated aircraft. The Ascent AeroSystems family of sUAVs are the only aircraft-grade platforms available in their class.

Green UAS CertifiedAscent AeroSystems’ SPIRIT™ Joined AUVSI Green UAS Cleared List

Green UAS certification verifies NDAA-compliance, assuring industry and operators that the American-made Spirit is a safe, secure, sustainable platform for mission-critical operations.

Applications

industrial droneIndustrial Inspection & Delivery

Spirit is ideal for professional inspection, mapping and monitoring applications in tough weather conditions and environments otherwise too difficult, dangerous of expensive to tackle. The versatile all-weather drone can also be used to quickly transport critical supplies to almost any location.

public safety dronePublic Safety

Ascent’s American-made UAVs are designed to keep American communities safe. Ideal for rapid deployment, all-weather information gathering, and situational awareness in critical situations, the rugged, reliable sUAS can be game changers for law enforcement, emergency medical services, and fire service first responders. Certified secure, Ascent AeroSystems modular, unmanned platforms are a proven force and capability multipliers.

Backpack DroneGovernment & Military

Ascent’s rugged, reliable, aircraft-grade coaxial UAVs feature a modular, open systems approach to both hardware and software, enabling the payload and performance flexibility required to meet a range of government and military mission. Certified secure, Ascent’s NDAA and EO 13981 compliant platforms are field upgradeable to meet ever-evolving mission requirements: from ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) to SAR (search and rescue), border security, disaster response, and more.

Products

NX30 UAS

Compact coaxial rotor drone for all-weather delivery

Helius UAV

Ultra-Lightweight, Rapidly-Deployable UAV for Tactical and Field Operations

Spirit Coaxial Rotor VTOL UAS

Modular coaxial drone with compact cylindrical airframe

Articles

Latest
New Authorized Dealer Announced for Ascent Coaxial UAVs

HELIFLITE is the first authorized Ascent AeroSystems dealer in Australasia, offering NDAA-compliant mission-critical UAV systems such as NX30, the flagship platform SPIRIT, and HELIUS

Apr 08, 2025
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

Mar 13, 2025
Ascent AeroSystems Unveils Scalable sUAS Kits for Coaxial Drones

Ascent AeroSystems introduces ready-to-fly kits for its Spirit and NX30 UAVs, offering modular, NDAA-compliant solutions for public safety, inspections, and paramilitary operations

Feb 25, 2025
How Coaxial UAVs Improve Operational Uptime in Harsh Conditions

Ascent AeroSystems outlines the impact of harsh weather on drone operations and how its Spirit UAV delivers reliable performance in rain, wind, and extreme temperatures

Feb 03, 2025
Ascent AeroSystems SPIRIT Awarded AUVSI Green UAS Certification

Green UAS certification is a fully vetted signal to industry and operators that the Spirit UAV platform is a safe and secure platform for a wide range of mission profiles

Jan 14, 2025
Ascent AeroSystems Full Range of Coaxial UAVs Showcased at Land Forces 2024

Ascent AeroSystems has showcased its versatile, high-performance coaxial UAVs at the Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exhibition at stand G084 in Melbourne, September 11–13, 2024

Sep 12, 2024
Tactical UAS Solutions Acquired by Leading Rotorcraft Manufacturer

Robinson will obtain expertise in autonomous electric flight technology and modular design philosophy through its acquisition of Ascent AeroSystems, adding compact coaxial helicopter drones to its offerings

Apr 23, 2024
Ascent AeroSystems Becomes First RemoteID-Compliant Blue sUAS OEM

Developed by company engineers, the new Bluetooth-based module will be integrated on every Spirit and NX30 shipping after September 15, 2022

Sep 07, 2022
Spirit Coaxial Drone Joins DIU Blue sUAS Cleared List 

Beginning immediately, any US government customer can buy and operate Ascent AeroSystems’ Spirit UAS without further technical review or approval

Jun 07, 2022
New Coaxial Drone for Material Transport

The NX30 is adaptable to the unique requirements of delivery network operators and can be optimized for a wide range of missions

Apr 27, 2022
Modular Coaxial Drones for Public Safety & Emergency Response

The Spirit UAS features a unique coaxial design, and can be easily carried in a backpack and quickly assembled and disassembled in the field

Apr 26, 2022
Partnership for Autonomous Drone Solutions with LiDAR Technology

Ascent AeroSystems and Exyn Technologies have formed a strategic partnership to create the next generation of comprehensive autonomous drone solutions....

Aug 20, 2021
Dual-Rotor Coaxial Drones Delivered to Launch Customer

Ascent AeroSystems has completed the final delivery of its Spirit dual-rotor coaxial drones to launch customer Dynetics. The Spirit UAV...

Aug 30, 2020
New Industrial-Grade Drone Features Dual-Rotor Coaxial Design

Ascent AeroSystems has announced the launch of Spirit, the company’s new dual-rotor coaxial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and has named...

Apr 29, 2019
Regional Offices & Locations
Ascent AeroSystems Headquarters United States of America 100 Research Dr., Wilmington, MA 01887 +1 617-932-7874 Contact Website
Ascent AeroSystems Manufacturing United States of America Robinson Helicopter Company. 2901 Airport Dr, Torrance, CA 90505 Website
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