FLIR Systems announce agreement to acquire Aria Insights’ Intellectual property, certain operating assets

FLIR Systems has reached an agreement to acquire Aria Insight’s Intellectual property (IP) and certain operating assets.

Aria, which was previously known as CyPhy Works, Inc., pioneered the development of tethered small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) and developed the Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications (PARC) tethered drone. Terms of the agreement have not yet been disclosed.

Industry personnel said it is anticipated that Aria’s assets would be integrated into FLIR’s Unmanned Systems and Integrated Solutions Division, bolstering the company’s technology portfolio built from the acquisitions of Prox Dynamics in 2016 and Aeryon Labs and Endeavor Robotics earlier this year.

“Tethered UAS systems are becoming an increasingly valuable tool for force protection, border security, and critical infrastructure protection,” David Ray, president of FLIR’s Government and Defense business, said. “Aria’s innovative technology and IP assets will enable us to enhance current capabilities and advance the range of solutions we can deliver to customers in this growing market segment.”

Former CEO of Aria Insights Lance Vandenbrook said the company is pleased to complete the sale of its assets to FLIR Systems.

“We are proud of the technology our team developed through the operations of CyPhy Works and Aria,” Vandenbrook said. “And we believe FLIR offers the best opportunity to see it make a difference and support critical missions in the years ahead.”