California-based Skyryse and Robinson Helicopter Company have teamed up to develop a Group 4 rotary-wing unmanned aerial system (UAS) for military missions.
Under the Pentagon’s classification system, Group 4 drones weigh more than 1,320 pounds (599 kilograms) and can operate at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet (5,486 meters).
The partnership will integrate Skyryse’s SkyOS autonomy software into Robinson’s flagship R66 light turbine helicopter, creating an unmanned platform that meets those requirements.
The resulting solution is intended for a range of missions, including combat operations, reconnaissance, and manned-unmanned teaming.
The SkyOS and R66
SkyOS combines simplified flight controls with advanced flight assistance based on aviation safety standards, enabling aircraft such as the Black Hawk and other fixed-wing platforms to operate autonomously.
The software has logged more than 10,000 simulated flight hours and over 2,800 crewed flight hours to date.
The R66, meanwhile, is an established rotorcraft with about 1,900 units in military and civilian service worldwide.
The helicopter measures 30 feet (9 meters) in length, features a 33-foot (10 meters) rotor diameter, and has an empty weight of 1,290 pounds (585 kilograms). It can also carry up to 1,200 pounds (544 kilograms) as an external payload.
The R66 recently advanced to the final phase of the US Army’s Flight School Next initiative, which will replace the UH-72 Lakota for initial pilot training.
Backed by Local Manufacturing
Robinson Helicopter Company President and CEO David Smith said the partnership aims to deliver “reliable, high-quality aircraft” while providing a “scalable pathway for future operational capabilities.”
The company, located less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) in Southern California, said their proximity will support rapid integration, live flight demonstrations, and closer coordination during production.
The effort will also leverage Robinson’s manufacturing base, where more than 85 percent of aircraft components are produced in-house, reducing reliance on overseas suppliers and strengthening production resilience.
“Defense agencies need autonomous aircraft that are reliable, affordable and available now, not years from now,” Skyryse Founder and CEO Mark Groden stated.
“Robinson gives us the production infrastructure to deliver … at a cost point that meets real-world, time-critical needs. This partnership accelerates our ability to put … autonomous aircraft into the hands of defense operators.”
