Selex Galileo is to acquire Italian company Unmanned Technologies Research Institute (UTRI) as part of its strategy to expand in the unmanned air system sector.
"The acquisition of UTRI will allow Selex Galileo to further reinforce its UAS capability by leveraging on the growing mini-micro market," the Finmeccanica company said in announcing the deal on 12 May.
Developed for defence and homeland security applications, the UTRI product range includes the mini Asio vertical take-off and landing design (below), which has a maximum weight of 6.5kg (14.3lb) and offers users a so-called "perch and stare" capability. In the same category is the hand-launched Otus-B, which has an endurance of more than 2h.
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In the micro-UAS sector, the Rome-based company has the VTOL, ducted-fan Spyball and fixed-wing Crex-B systems.
The UTRI designs join a Selex Galileo portfolio that includes the Falco tactical UAS. The companies have worked together on projects such as Asio since at least 2007.
Source: Flight International
