Ascent AeroSystems today unveiled its Helius micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the latest in its line of enterprise and public safety targeted coaxial small UAV products.
Weighing in at less than 250 grams with the ability to fly more than 30 minutes, the rugged NDAA-compliant Helius features an integrated 4K electro-optical digital camera with low light capability, cellular connectivity for beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations, a Voxl2 Mini for obstacle avoidance and onboard computing capability, and a rechargeable, field swappable battery.
Small enough to fit in a utility belt or tactical vest, Helius can be hand launched allowing operators to quickly deploy it in the field in any weather.
Like other products from Ascent AeroSystems, Helius is a coaxial drone, a design that provides significant advantages.
“Helius has two counter rotating rotors that are stacked on top of each other, and the lifting surface of that is three times what you would have in a quad copter with an equivalent tip to tip span,” explains Ascent AeroSystems president and cofounder Peter Fuchs.
“The laws of physics and aerodynamics favor coaxial systems. We can spin larger rotors at a lower RPM, which means its quieter with more lift. That design also allows us to have a much more compact airframe which increases available payload capability when compared to traditional quad copters.”
Helius is domestically manufactured at the FAA-certified Robinson Helicopter Company facility in Torrance, California. Robinson acquired Massachusetts-based Ascent in April 2024.
“As drones become more industrialized and operate at scale, you can’t rely on hobby-grade or consumer-grade products to deliver the required performance and reliability,” Fuchs said.
“That’s where the real advantage of our connection with Robinson comes in. The Helius features aircraft-grade systems manufactured to strict aviation standards for trusted quality.”
Ascent plans to offer Helius for under $5,000, promoting it as an affordable yet high-performance solution for industry and public safety. Helius is available for presale with initial deliveries set to being in Q4 2025. The company is sharing more information at their VERTICON Booth #8234.
Helius has a rechargeable, field swappable battery module to minimize operational downtime. Future versions will include new features, allowing the system to be customized for each flight.
Ascent also hinted at plans to introduce a defense-focused variant later this year, with additional features like military-grade radio links and an infrared sensor.
Helius joins Ascent AeroSystems’ two larger coaxial drones that offer interchangeable payloads, Sprit and the NX30.
