| UMS Skeldar AG | |
| Type: | Private |
| Foundation: | 2015 |
| Location Country: | Switzerland |
| Industry: | Aerospace |
| Products: | Aircraft and components |
| Owner: | UMS Aero Group, Saab |
UMS Skeldar AG is an aircraft manufacturer based primarily in Switzerland, and with manufacturing facilities in Sweden. It was formed in 2018 as a joint venture between majority shareholder UMS Aero Group and Saab. Its principle product is the Skeldar range of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) rotorcraft. The company also owns the Hirth company,[1] whose range of light two-stroke engines provide the power units for the rotorcraft.[2]
Swiss UAV AG was a privately owned company based in Switzerland that designed and manufactured unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).[3]
It entered a partnership with Saab, in May 2009.[4]
In 2013, Swiss UAV was acquired by Unmanned Systems AG and the following year merged into UMS Aero Group alongside Swedish company Unmanned Systems AB.[5]
At the end of 2015 UMS Aero Group and Saab, manufacturers of the Skeldar unmanned vehicle, formed UMS Skeldar, a joint venture in which UMS Aero Group is the majority partner.[6] Besides its Swiss headquarters and manufacturing, it maintains a manufacturing facility in Sweden, as UMS Skeldar Sweden AB.[7]
Earlier types have included:[8]
Current products include two rotorcraft drone systems:
See main article: Hirth. UMS Skeldar acquired the long-established Hirth German light piston engine manufacturer in 2018.[9] Hirth provide the heavy-fuel (jet fuel) engines used in the rotorcraft.[10]