Skyryse and Robinson Helicopter Company have announced a new partnership to develop an autonomous military helicopter based on the Robinson R66.
The project combines advanced flight automation with a proven helicopter platform to create a Group 4 unmanned aircraft for defense missions. The effort aims to deliver a reliable, affordable, and rapidly deployable system for military operators.
The new platform will use Skyryse’s SkyOS autonomous flight system. The software will replace traditional pilot controls with advanced automation while keeping aviation safety at the center of its design. This allows the helicopter to complete missions with little or no direct pilot input.
The aircraft falls under the Pentagon’s Group 4 drone category. These unmanned aircraft weigh more than 1,320 pounds and can operate at altitudes of up to 18,000 feet. They are designed for demanding military missions that require longer endurance and larger payloads than smaller drones.
The autonomous helicopter is expected to support several defense roles. These include combat operations, intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, logistics support, and manned-unmanned teaming. In manned-unmanned teaming, autonomous aircraft work alongside helicopters or aircraft flown by human crews to expand mission capabilities.
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SkyOS Software and R66 Helicopter
SkyOS is an advanced flight operating system developed to simplify aircraft operation. Instead of relying entirely on manual flying, the software assists with flight management and navigation using built-in safety systems. This helps reduce pilot workload while improving operational consistency.
The company has already extensively tested the technology. SkyOS has completed more than 10,000 simulated flight hours and over 2,800 crewed flight hours. It has also been demonstrated on aircraft including the Black Hawk helicopter and several fixed-wing platforms.
The Robinson R66 provides a proven foundation for the new unmanned aircraft. The helicopter has built a strong reputation in both civilian and military aviation. Around 1,900 R66 helicopters are currently operating worldwide.
The R66 measures about 30 feet in length and has a rotor diameter of roughly 33 feet. It has an empty weight of about 1,290 pounds and can carry external loads of up to 1,200 pounds. These capabilities make it suitable for transporting equipment and supporting a variety of mission profiles.
The helicopter has also gained attention from the US Army. The R66 recently reached the final phase of the Army’s Flight School Next program. That initiative is working to replace the UH-72 Lakota helicopter used for initial pilot training.
Local Manufacturing Faster Production
Both companies are based in Southern California. Their facilities are located less than 30 miles apart. This close distance will help engineers work together more efficiently during aircraft development and testing.
The companies said the partnership will speed up software integration and flight demonstrations. It will also simplify communication during manufacturing and system upgrades. Faster collaboration can shorten development timelines and improve production efficiency.
Robinson manufactures more than 85 percent of its aircraft components in-house. This reduces dependence on overseas suppliers and strengthens production stability. It also gives the company greater control over quality and delivery schedules.
Robinson Helicopter Company President and CEO David Smith said the partnership is designed to deliver reliable and high-quality aircraft while creating a scalable path for future operational capabilities.
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He added that combining Robinson’s manufacturing experience with Skyryse’s automation technology will support the changing needs of defense customers. The companies aim to deliver systems that can be expanded as military requirements continue to evolve.
Skyryse Founder and CEO Mark Groden said defense organizations need autonomous aircraft that are reliable, affordable, and available now rather than years into the future.
He said Robinson’s manufacturing capability gives the partnership the production capacity needed to deliver aircraft at practical costs. According to Groden, the collaboration will help place autonomous helicopters into the hands of military operators more quickly.
The project reflects the growing demand for autonomous aircraft across the global defense sector. Militaries are investing in systems that can reduce risk to human crews while expanding operational flexibility.
As development moves forward, the partnership aims to deliver an unmanned helicopter that combines proven aircraft design with modern autonomous flight technology for future military missions.
