FLIR Systems Inc. has acquired Aeryon Labs Inc., a primary designer and manufacturer of high-performance small unmanned aerial systems (UASs), for $200 million. The acquisition is part of FLIR System’s long-term strategy to widen their unmanned systems solutions capabilities. Aeryon Labs Inc. is a primary designer and manufacturer of high-performance small unmanned aerial systems (UASs). Aeryon Labs’ SkyRanger tablet transmits instantaneous high-resolution ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) proficiency to the user. Courtesy of Aeryon Labs Inc. “The acquisition of Aeryon Labs reinforces our long-term strategy to move beyond providing sensors, to the development of complete solutions that save lives and livelihoods,” said Jim Cannon, FLIR president and CEO. “This acquisition, coupled with our acquisition of Prox Dynamics in 2016, greatly increases our unmanned systems solutions capabilities, expanding beyond nano-UAS into Group 1 UAS solutions for military. We intend to continue to invest and build this area of our business and broaden our capabilities as we view unmanned and autonomous solutions to be a significant opportunity for organic growth in the coming years.” Aeryon’s field-tested UASs set the standard for real-time, secure, aerial intelligence across a wide range of critical applications, from tactical missions to search and rescue to infrastructure inspections. Aeryon’s drones are built for military, public safety, and industrial customers around the world and feature multiple sensors, including FLIR thermal technology, to provide the user with instantaneous high-resolution intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) proficiency. The renowned SkyRanger family of aircraft has received additions that establish a new benchmark for small UAS performance and reliability. SkyRanger R70 is one of Aeryon’s latest field-tested UAS systems. Courtesy of Aeryon Labs Inc. “We’re thrilled to join the FLIR family and to have a large, growth-oriented technology company as our new home,” said Dave Kroetsch, co-founder and chief technical officer of Aeryon Labs. “As drone technology and its markets evolve, customers are seeking UAS as just one component of a broader solution. While Aeryon has been evolving in that direction for the past few years, being part of FLIR Systems brings a path to include our hardware and software technologies in much bigger solutions than would have ever been possible on our own.” Aeryon Labs has been assimilated into the FLIR Government and Defense Business Unit’s Unmanned Systems and Integrated Solutions division. FLIR predicts the strategic acquisition to produce a reduction in earnings for the year 2019 because of the initial investments in product development investments. They predict a steady growth in following years.