On Monday, Jan. 28, FLIR Systems Inc. announced its acquisition of Aeryon Labs Inc., which is known for developing high-performance UAS for the global military, public safety, and critical infrastructure markets. FLIR acquired Aeryon for $200 million.

Founded in 2007, Aeryon is based in Waterloo, Canada, with offices in Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. The company designs and manufactures mission-focused Group 1 UAS technology built around aircraft that weigh less than 20 pounds.

20 militaries in more than 30 countries across the globe deploy Aeryon’s family of UAS, including the United States Department of Defense.

“The acquisition of Aeryon Labs reinforces our long-term strategy to move beyond providing sensors to the development of complete solutions that save lives and livelihoods,” explains Jim Cannon, president and CEO of FLIR Systems.

“This acquisition, coupled with our acquisition of Prox Dynamics in 2016, greatly increases our unmanned systems solutions capabilities, expanding beyond nano-UAS into Group 1 UAS solutions for military.”

Aeryon’s vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) quad-copter airframes provide users with immediate high-resolution intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, thanks to the integration of a variety of sensors, including FLIR thermal technology.

Aeryon’s SkyRanger UAS, which are described as “rugged, reliable, and field-proven,” are rucksack portable and can be deployed by a single operator in just minutes. The UAS are capable of operating in demanding environments and inclement weather, including at high altitudes, gusting winds, and rain and snow.

“We’re thrilled to join the FLIR family and to have a large, growth-oriented technology company as our new home,” says Dave Kroetsch, co-founder and CTO of Aeryon Labs.

“As drone technology and its markets evolve, customers are seeking UAS as just one component of a broader solution. While Aeryon has been evolving in that direction for the past few years, being part of FLIR Systems brings a path to include our hardware and software technologies in much bigger solutions than would have ever been possible on our own.”