Robinson Unmanned Secures Contract to Supply SPIRIT UAS to Nepali Army

WILMINGTON, Mass., Oct. 13, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- Robinson Unmanned, the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) business unit of Robinson Helicopter Company, has secured a significant contract to deliver its Blue UAS Cleared SPIRIT™ small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) to the Nepali Army. This contract, awarded through Ascent Aerosystems, a contracting entity for U.S. defense programs, is part of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement.

The SPIRIT system, a Blue UAS-cleared, NDAA-compliant Group 1 platform, is designed to meet the rigorous demands of military operations in challenging environments. The Nepali Army will receive SPIRIT base kits and payload kits, along with additional aircraft hardware, spares, extended warranty coverage, and operator training. This expansion of Robinson Unmanned’s international footprint underscores the versatility and reliability of the SPIRIT system.

SPIRIT is a compact, coaxial architecture aircraft that combines a rugged cylindrical form with a modular open system architecture (MOSA). This design allows for rapid integration of advanced hardware, software, and mission capabilities, ensuring that the system can adapt to evolving operational requirements. The aircraft is built to operate in temperatures ranging from -40°F to 130°F, withstand winds above 40 mph, and function at altitudes up to 14,600 feet above mean sea level. These environmental performance features make SPIRIT particularly suitable for operations in mountainous, remote, and unpredictable environments.

Paul Fermo, President of Robinson Unmanned, emphasized the importance of reliability and adaptability in military operations.

The SPIRIT system is part of Robinson Unmanned’s broader portfolio of scalable, aviation-grade VTOL platforms designed for civil and defense missions. The company’s vertically integrated U.S. manufacturing infrastructure and more than five decades of aviation production experience ensure that SPIRIT can meet the demands of both domestic and international markets. The contract with the Nepali Army is a testament to the SPIRIT system’s ability to deliver mission-ready unmanned systems that are reliable, adaptable, and supportable.

This contract builds on SPIRIT’s growing adoption across U.S. defense and government applications. The SPIRIT system’s modular open architecture allows operators to configure sensing, communications, and other mission capabilities around a common aircraft, reducing the need for multiple UAS platforms for different requirements. The aircraft’s environmental performance, including its IP56 design, ensures that it can operate in a wide range of conditions, making it a valuable asset for military operations in diverse environments.

In summary, Robinson Unmanned’s contract with the Nepali Army to deliver the SPIRIT system is a significant step in expanding the company’s international presence. The SPIRIT system’s reliability, adaptability, and environmental performance make it a crucial tool for military operations in challenging environments.