Aero2
The Swiss Army Knife of Drones

Aero2 can take-off and land vertically like a helicopter, but flies as fast and energy effi cient as anairplane, by virtue of its unique tilt-wing design. The platform is designed for numerous applications, off ering a maximum of flexibility and highest safety standards at low operating costs.

The ability to transport up to 40 kg (88 lbs) of payload over 400 km (216 NM) in standard configuration makes the aircraft the perfect tool for any mission.

Contact sales@dufour.aero to discuss your use case.

The perfect tool for any uncrewed mission

Wing-span

6.1 m (20 ft)

Length

4.1 m (13.4 ft)

Payload (excl. fuel)

40 kg (88 lbs)

Max. Take-off mass (MTOM)

208 kg (459 lbs)

Max. Flight time / range

3 hours with hybrid module / ~ 400 km (216 NM)

Efficient cruise speed

150 km/h (81 kts)

Propulsion

Nose cone can be exchanged within Hybrid electric propulsion system


4 electric main motors and 1 electric tail motor (battery powered)


2 cylinder boxer engine (gasoline) to recharge batteries in flight

Main propeller diameter

1.2 m (47.2 in.)

Tail propeller diameter

0.6 m (23.6 in.)

Redundancy and safety


Redundant motors allow for controlled landing in. case of a motor / controller failure in hover condition.


Redundant design allows for continued flight in case of a motor / controller / propeller failure in cruise flight.


Redundant flight control units


Redundant control surfaces

Payload and range flexibility

The design of Aero2 allows for an easy exchange of payload capacity for additional fuel. For every 4 kg of payload, an additional fl ight hour or 133 km (72 NM) range can be obtained. Extended range versions will be customer specific and therefore need to be developed according to specific customer needs.

Transport of medical goods and critical cargo

Aero2 is the right solution for the transportation of medical goods suchas blood, medicines, vaccines or other medical supplies. It also complements traditional logistic supply chains, such as urgently needed spareparts or to effi ciently connect remote settlements at reasonable cost.

High resolution remote sensing

The ability to accommodate heavier, bigger and more complex sensorsmakes Aero2 a perfect platform to support remote sensing and data gathering applications of all kinds, be it in the visual spectrum or with infrared, multispectral applications, radar, lidar or others. Larger and moreexpensive platforms like small planes or helicopters can be replaced, and missions can be automated.

Search and Rescue or public safety applications

Its endurance and payload capacity also make Aero2 the ideal tool forSearch and Rescue flights over extensive areas. Aero2 can support different surveillance activities in the public safety sphere, such as wildfi reprevention and management, border protection or the monitoring of critical infrastructure.

Development and certification roadmap

Dufour Aerospace has built three prototypes (demonstrator aircraft, X2.1 and X2.2) and demonstrated full transition in 2020. The team is currently developing the next generation prototype (X2.3), which will deliver full fl ight capabilities with a hybrid electric propulsion unit.We expect serial production to start in 2025. Dufour Aerospace has been able to sign firm purchase contracts and numerous letters of intentwith various customers from diff erent fields of application.

Aero2 is designed to meet the criteria of SC-LUAS (Special Condition Light UAS) of EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency). In its fi rstproduction version (with entry into service of first units expected in 2025), Aero2 will initially target certifi cation in the medium-risk category(SAIL III/IV). Dufour Aerospace is aiming for certification in the high-risk applications (SAIL V andabove) medium term with later versions. The design of the aircraft also adresses certification criteria of other regulation authorities as currently known.

US-based operator Spright is Dufour Aerospace‘s launch customer for the Aero2 cargo version for middle-mile delivery of medical goods. Delivery of the production version Aero2 begins in 2025.

Built to work hard.

MULTI 
Propeller
Redundant and continued safe flight capable.
landing
gear
Robust gear for remote landings on unprepared terrain.
Optional hybrid system
10 kW combustion engine for super efficient long range operations. Can carry payload for 10% the fuel requirement of a helicopter.
Airframe parachute
A third level of safety.
MODLUAR
NOSE
Multiple versatile compartments, re-configurable in 10 minutes.

Choose  your
usecase:

SAR

Cargo

Sensorplatform

When efficency and versatility saves lives.

Aero2 in its SAR configuration is compatible with modern SAR gimbals and additional sensor payloads. It is ideally suited for long endurance search applications. An optional auxiliary drop unit (ADU) offers rescue teams an option to deliver emergency supplies. The ADU can be equipped with approximately 20 kg of payload that can be dropped directly on site to bridge the time until rescue crews arrive.

VTOL capability combined with long-range high-speed functionality make Aero2 the ideal search platform to support today's rescue operations in oceans, mountains, and deserts, and will increase the efficiency of search activities significantly.

Aero2's ability to carry significant payload allows the use of sophisticated equipment to search for missing persons, such as infrared or RGB cameras, spectral imaging equipment, or mobile phone detection scanners, both day and night.

NOSE
module
The modular nose compartment can hold up to 15kg of IR/FLIR camera equipment and can be swapped in 10 minutes for an auxiliary fuel tank for extra range.
Belly
pod
This auxililary pod can carry up to 10kg of humanitarian goods which can be dropped to people in need.
hybrid
system
The optional hybrid system allows for long-range missions, giving Aero2 a range of 400 km with an endurance of up to three hours. A long range version with reduced payload of 20kg can achieve up to 1300km.

5x

more efficient than any state of the art helicopter when it comes to long-range search and rescue operations. Thanks to the integrated hybrid module the Aero2 can achieve a range of up to 400km in standard configuration and up to 1300km in long range configuration with reduced payload.

Fast turn-around automated cargo.

The simple load and unload mechanism makes Aero2 an ideal unmanned cargo transport system. It features unbeatable load exchange cycles. It can be loaded and unloaded manually or using fully automated logistic systems.

The space and weight capacities of Aero2 match 85% of all express cargo loads and will change the way we transport goods which need to be delivered urgently and reliably.

The cargo bay has been designed to hold a standard 600 x 400 x 330mm transport box. It allows the time and cost effective transportation of temperature sensitive cargo such as organs, blood preparations or laboratory samples without compromising on their safety.
‍‍
Aero2 is built and designed rocksolid to support a 24/7 operation around the year. Its ability to land automatically and on all terrains and its low maintenance requirements allow for a rapid delivery of critical goods in disaster areas.



NOSE
module
The nose module can be loaded manually or using fully automated logistic systems. The compartment can be quickly exchanged and carries a payload of up to 40kg.
automated
flght controls
With Dufour Aerospace's Flight Control System we can automate deliveries to cargo terminals or remote landing fields, supporting any middle or last mile delivery process.
cruise
flight
Aero2 has a range of up to 400km and can carry a payload of up to 40kg. Range can be extended up to 1300 km.

Logistics

Aero2 is the ideal tool to transport goods efficiently and safely from A to B to support middle and last mile deliveries – with payloads of up to 40kg and a range of 400km in standard configuration and 1300km in long range configuration.

Long range sensor platform

Today's surveillance and mapping drones are limited in both flight time and range. Aero2 delivers long range surveillance possibilities. With its ability to carry significant payloads up to 40kg, professional multi-sensor equipment to gather important, high-resolution data can be installed.

Aero2 is a VTOL capable aircraft designed to aviation standards offering high reliability and operational robustness. One single system allows to cover large areas – different to most applications used for mapping or surveillance today.

Aero2 offers a mission spectrum that today is only accessible for helicopters or planes. Inspecting hundreds of kilometres of power lines, gas and oil pipelines, counting animals in large spacious areas or monitoring and analysing large agricultural fields will be possible at a fraction of today's costs and with significantly less environmental impact. The search for hotspots to prevent bushfires or the surveillance and coordination of activities in disaster areas can also be organised efficiently and economically.


FLEXIBLE PAYLOAD
INTEGRATION

Up to 40kg of functional payload can be integrated in the easily exchangeable nose cone. Additional possibilities to place equipment in the optional belly pod.
REDUNDANCY
4 propeller configuration and decentralized electric propulsion for improved safety and reliability in critical environments.
UNMATCHED
FLEXIBILITY

Tilt-wing design for VTOL capability in unprepared terrain, meeting the requirements of low-speed applications and high-speed long range cruise.

Long range

Applications include: Forest fire surveillance, pipeline and powerline inspection, animal counting and poacher prevention, surveillance of beaches and shores, agricultural health monitoring,  efficient 3D mapping and environmental disaster surveillance.

Integration of
flight planning
software

Aero2 offers the possibility to integrate the preferred flight planning software of our customers to interact with our flight control system. Alternatively, Dufour Aerospace is also able to provide full software solutions.

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ABOUT:
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.