CybAero

CybAero AB was a Swedish public company that developed and manufactured remotely piloted helicopter systems, also known as Vertical Take-Off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (VTOL UAVs). Founded in 2003, the company's origins trace back to research initiated in 1992 by the Swedish Defense Research Agency (FOI) and Linköping University. Headquartered in Mjärdevi Science Park in Linköping, a major aeronautics hub, CybAero was listed on the Nasdaq First North exchange starting in 2007. The company ceased operations and filed for bankruptcy in June 2018.

CybAero's business model focused on developing, marketing, and selling autonomous unmanned helicopters primarily to partners, who would then integrate sensors and other systems before selling the complete solutions to end customers. The company targeted both military and civil markets, including defense, security, surveillance, and inspection services. A significant milestone was a framework agreement signed in 2014 with the Chinese state-owned aerospace and defense company AVIC, valued at approximately $84-$100 million for up to 70 helicopter systems over eight years. However, the company's fortunes declined after the Swedish government, citing security concerns, reversed its decision to grant an export license to China for a system demonstrator. This, combined with broader financial difficulties and several leadership changes, led to the company's eventual bankruptcy.

The company's main product line was the APID series, most notably the APID ONE, a modular system developed from the earlier APID 60. The APID ONE was available in three configurations: DEFENCE for military applications like anti-submarine operations; RESCUE for search and rescue missions; and RANGER for civil and commercial tasks such as power line and pipeline inspection. A key feature of their systems was the ability for autonomous takeoff and landing, including on moving ships, a capability developed in partnership with major aerospace players like Airbus. The helicopters were designed to carry various payloads and could be equipped with advanced sensors like Doppler lasers (LIDAR) or synthetic aperture radar (SAR) for operations in adverse weather conditions.

Keywords: CybAero, unmanned aerial vehicles, VTOL UAV, remotely piloted aircraft systems, RPAS, APID ONE, drone manufacturer, aerospace, defense, autonomous helicopters, aerial surveillance, ship-based drones, Mjärdevi Science Park, AVIC, Swedish Defense Research Agency, Linköping University, military drones, commercial drones, drone inspection, search and rescue drones, bankrupt, defunct