Dufour Aerospace gets long-term support from RUAG

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07.10.2022
Dufour plane

The Aero2 is Dufour’s unmanned aerial vehicle that can take off and land vertically like a helicopter but flies as fast and as energy efficient as a fixed-wing aircraft. Through their foreseen long-term strategic partnership, RUAG will provide engineering services to Dufour to advance the eVTOL and components of Aero2.

Dufour Aerospace develops efficient and ecological aircraft for patient and passenger transport, logistics and public safety based on the tilt-wing principle. The tilt-wing aircraft Aero3, which is currently under development, takes off and lands vertically in the smallest space like a helicopter but flies as fast and economically as an aeroplane. While the propellers are electrically driven, their hybrid elements (conventional turbine or fuel cells) ensure a sufficiently long range (hybrid propulsion). The company is also developing the Aero2, an unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) based on the tilt-wing principle.

To accelerate its development, the company has started collaborating with RUAG, a technology partner of the Swiss armed forces and a holistic security company. Intended to evolve into a long-term strategic partnership, RUAG will support Dufour Aerospace in developing, manufacturing and maintaining electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) and components. The partnership will enable both companies to exchange technology and know-how to establish successful products and services in the market.

RUAG will assist with the design and testing of the aircraft’s structure, further development and testing of the propulsion system, and the development and integration of avionics and automated flight systems.

Thomas Kipfer, Senior Vice President of RUAG Business Area Air, “We are excited to start working with Dufour Aerospace. There is the potential for numerous synergies between Dufour and RUAG. We believe the eVTOL market will be transformational for manned and unmanned aviation, and we’ve been looking for an OEM partner to further develop and apply our technology and expertise to this market. With Dufour, we’ve found a company with credible technology in an advanced development stage, a strong team and a clear plan to become a key player in this market.”

Thomas Pfammatter, CEO and co-founder of Dufour Aerospace, said: “This cooperation with RUAG is an important milestone for Dufour Aerospace. With their experience and knowledge, RUAG can support our development programs in multiple areas. RUAG is a leader in aeronautical engineering; they have state-of-the-art infrastructure and a great team of innovative and dedicated engineers. We are very pleased that RUAG believes in the future of hybrid-electric tilt-wing aircraft.”

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