#Sponsored Content


BEYOND COMPETITION: HOW UAV INTEGRATION


IS TRANSFORMING ROTARY-WING OPERATIONS FORCE MULTIPLIER, MISSION PARTNER, PROFIT CENTER


ASCENT AEROSYSTEMS


For decades, the helicopter industry has been defined by adaptability. Rotary-wing aircraft have carried out some of the most demanding missions imaginable, from lifesaving medevac flights to offshore transport to law enforcement patrols. Yet the industry today stands at a clear inflection point. New technologies are reshaping expectations, new missions are emerging across public safety and industry, and economic pressures are forcing operators to deliver more value with tighter margins. Compounding it all is a persistent pilot shortage that shows no signs of easing.


Against this backdrop, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enter the conversation in earnest — not as competitors, but as complements. Properly integrated, UAVs expand what vertical aviation can accomplish. They act as a force multiplier for manned aircraft and ground- based operations, a capability multiplier for operators, and ultimately, a profitability


48 Sept/Oct 2025


multiplier for businesses navigating a rapidly changing market.


As Ascent AeroSystems President Paul Fermo puts it, “Uncrewed systems don’t replace helicopters — they enable helicopters to do what they do best. UAVs extend reach, give pilots back valuable flight hours, and open the door to missions that were never economical or practical before.”


COMPLEMENTARY, NOT COMPETITIVE


The power of helicopters is undeniable: their ability to maintain hover, provide persistent overwatch, pull power lines, quickly transport critical cargo, and deliver enhanced situational awareness from the air has been saving lives and improving operational efficiencies for decades. UAVs bring their own advantages: rapid deployability, portability, access to confined or hazardous spaces, and cost efficiency, just to name a few.


As part of Robinson Helicopter Company, Ascent AeroSystems manufactures UAVs in Robinson’s FAA-certified facility to the same “aircraft-grade” standards vertical aviation customers already expect. “We design UAVs like aircraft because that’s exactly what they are,” says Fermo. “These aren’t toys, trends, or single-use tools — they are durable assets built to fly in the most unforgiving environments. Because when minutes matter, not flying is not an option.”


Bringing the two together directly can help dealers, resellers, operators and service providers effectively and efficiently address the realities of today’s marketplace. UAVs enable airborne operations when pilot or aircraft availability would otherwise not allow it, take on assignments in environments too risky for crewed aircraft, and extend the reach of existing helicopter fleets. At the same time, they preserve the helicopter’s role for the missions only a crewed aircraft can accomplish.


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