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Bentonville, AR (September 30, 2024): Dufour Aerospace, the innovative Swiss drone and eVTOL company, and Areion, the U.S. drone pioneer and successor to Spright, today announced the renewal of their partnership, including the purchase by Areion of 40 Aero2 drones with options for an additional 100 aircraft. Dufour and Spright previously announced this largest-ever purchase of civilian drones in 2023. Areion will continue business development activities with Dufour Aerospace's tilt-wing Aero2 drone, focusing on critical goods transport and other logistical applications.
The announcement was made at the UP.Summit, an invitation-only gathering of 300 of the world’s most innovative minds rethinking the future of transportation, taking place this year in Bentonville, Arkansas. Investors in attendance represent more than $1 trillion of assets under management. Dufour Aerospace’s Aero2 drone is displayed at the UP.Summit sporting the Areion livery.
Said Dufour Aerospace CEO Sascha Hardegger: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Areion. Our first product, the Aero2, will soon enter pre-series production with a view to commercial deliveries in 2026, and we believe Areion is the right partner to expand our footprint in the United States. As a testament to the promise of this partnership, we are honoured Thomas Pfammatter, our co-founder, was invited to the UP.Summit. It is a key gathering of visionaries on the next phase of flight operations, and we are happy that Aero2 will be on display. Investors will see what’s possible with our innovative tilt-wing platform.”
"Dufour Aerospace has developed an impressive multi-role platform for unmanned air mobility that will allow us to meet our future needs. With today’s announcement, we demonstrate our continuing commitment to their vision and to their technological approach, in which we are proud to be a partner in the U.S. and abroad," said Areion Managing Director, Tyler Kennedy.
The UP.Summit was founded in 2017 and is co-hosted by Tom and Steuart Walton, and Ross Perot Jr, rotating between Bentonville, Arkansas and Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas annually. Thomas Pfammatter, co-founder and board member of Dufour Aerospace, was invited to attend the UP.Summit, in recognition of his expertise in the future of flight, pioneering work in electric aircraft, and many thousands of flight hours as a rescue helicopter pilot in Switzerland.
About Dufour Aerospace
Dufour Aerospace develops efficient and sustainable aircraft for cargo transportation, logistics and public safety. It uses distributed electric propulsion and a hybrid module to meet today's Advanced Air Mobility and medium-sized drone market requirements. The company was incorporated in 2017 and has its headquarters in Visp, Switzerland, with a design office and flight testing facilities in Dübendorf, Switzerland. Dufour Aerospace employs more than 50 employees.
About Areion
Areion UAS is the new drone division of Legionair Tactical Logistics, revived to help solve for many of the toughest challenges facing communities across North America. This innovative, drone-based solution leverages emerging aeronautical technology to create operational solutions that can be implemented locally. Based in Chandler, Arizona, Areion was born from an aviation heritage dedicated to safe and efficient operations.
Media Contacts
Dufour Aerospace
Juliett Alpha Communications
Tel. +212.518.4796
Areion UAS
Tyler Kennedy
Legionair Tactical Logistics
tkennedy@legionairtactical.com
Tel. +541.215.5251
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With over 30 years of experience in Swiss commercial helicopter operations, we understand the real world requirements of VTOL aircraft. Our engineering team with years of aircraft construction experience is building aircrafts for rugged operations in harsh environments. Our patented combination of proven aerodynamic concepts with the latest technology makes our aircraft rock solid with unparalleled performance.