IAI acquires 50% of BlueBird Aero Systems
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has agreed to acquire 50% of the equity of UAS developer BlueBird Aero Systems, the company announced on 24 September.
In a statement, IAI said that as part of the transaction it was acquiring the holdings of Piramal Technologies SA from India, as well as additional shares from Fiberless Access and Bluebird CEO Ronen Nadir. Nadir retains 50% of BlueBird shares and will continue to serve as the company’s CEO.
The move comes after several years of both companies focusing on vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capabilities for ground and naval forces.
BlueBird’s VTOL platforms include the WanderB-VTOL (pictured) and ThunderB-VTOL and it recently sold more than 70 systems to an undisclosed customer.
‘This acquisition is part of the implementation of IAI’s strategy in the UAS sector and a significant potential IAI foresees in the small tactical UAS market for military, HLS, and commercial applications,’ the company statement said.
‘The acquisition will enable IAI to grow its operations and revenues, accelerate technological developments while lowering costs, reduce time to market process, and improve competitiveness.’
Nadir said that with IAI’s ‘vast technological and innovative abilities and its infrastructure and world market access’, Bluebird would continue to grow the company and extend its market share.
Moshe Levy, IAI EVP and General Manager of the Military Aircraft Group of IAI, said the acquisition of BlueBird was ‘an important leap forward’ in developing the next IAI UAV family.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Royal Navy uncrewed aircraft trial marks European first]()
Royal Navy uncrewed aircraft trial marks European first
UK flight test sees largest unmanned aircraft take off from a Royal Navy aircraft carrier.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: Chinese AR-2000 large ship-borne UAV makes debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: Chinese AR-2000 large ship-borne UAV makes debut
CATIC have displayed its new AR-2000 drone at Dubai Airshow 2023, emphasising ship-based capabilities with PLA already purchasing.
-
![Australian Triton takes to the skies]()
Australian Triton takes to the skies
Australia has ordered four Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton UAS which can operate as an uncrewed maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) alongside the country’s in-service Boeing P-8A MPA fleet.
-
![Elistair unveils automated tethered observation UAS]()
Elistair unveils automated tethered observation UAS
The Khronos tethered UAS has been designed to be simple to use and has drawn on Elistair’s experience with hundreds of existing customers.
-
![Saildrone to produce USVs in Australia from 2024]()
Saildrone to produce USVs in Australia from 2024
The use of long-duration Uncrewed Surface Vehicles for maritime surveillance and monitoring has become part of the fleet inventory as navies try to reduce the level of effort required to gather intelligence on areas of interest.
-
![Ocius expands Bluebottle USV capabilities]()
Ocius expands Bluebottle USV capabilities
A growing number of uncrewed systems have been on show at Sydney's Indo-Pacific Maritime exhibition with a select few currently being trialled to see if they can enhance the Royal Australian Navy's surveillance levels.
