Honeywell has established an Unmanned Aerial Systems business unit focused on growing its presence in the emerging markets for drones and urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles.

Announced on June 15, the new organization within the $14.1 billion Honeywell Aerospace segment will have its own engineering and sales resources to develop new products and services specific to the two markets. It will also act as a systems integrator for combinations of Honeywell products and services used on unmanned and UAM vehicles.

Honeywell has previously announced plans to integrate a fly-by-wire flight control system on UAM vehicles being developed by Vertical Aerospace of the UK, Jaunt Air Mobility of the U.S., Eviation of Israel, and Pipistrel Vertical Solutions of Slovenia. 

The avionics and engine manufacturer has partnered with Volocopter, of Germany, to develop navigation and automatic landing systems for the latter’s electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi.

In June 2019, Honeywell announced an agreement with Japanese automotive components supplier Denso to collaborate on the development of hybrid electric and all-electric powertrains for UAM vehicles.

“Urban air mobility and unmanned aerial systems will play an increasing role in the future of aerospace, with potential applications in all-electric urban air taxi vehicles, hybrid-electric unmanned cargo drones, optionally piloted airplanes, delivery drones and everything in between,” said Mike Madsen, Honeywell Aerospace president and CEO.

“Honeywell has already contributed many technological advancements to these markets, and is well positioned to continue growing our portfolio to meet customer needs and help shape the future of autonomous aviation and urban transport,” Madsen added.