Carbon fibre parts as large as an airplane wing and as small as a postage stamp enter the Dufour Aerospace hangar. Over several weeks — around 6 at present — the parts are guided along a nascent production line and are meticulously assembled. Thousands of parts in all (and a fair amount of design!) create the Aero2, our pioneering tilt-wing drone designed for our customers’ critical missions.
2024 was a banner year for Dufour — and this is our year in review.
Product Advancements in 2024
In 2024, we made significant progress in testing our automation for the Aero2 drone. With our current test aircraft, we have demonstrated automatic takeoffs, transitions, waypoint navigation, and emergency procedures. Dufour is continuously advancing our automation capabilities to align with our entry into service goals for the Aero2.
Three pre-series aircraft were built in 2024 to test and demonstrate these improvements. In addition to increasing the aircraft’s weight capacity, key upgrades were made to the power system, including a new hybrid engine and more efficient propellers. These enhancements allow the aircraft to fly longer distances with less fuel, improve safety through backup power systems, and generate more sustainable energy during flight.
Sascha Hardegger Appointed as New CEO
In August, Sascha Hardegger took over as CEO of Dufour, succeeding Thomas Pfammatter, who led the company as CEO for seven successful years. Pfammatter continues to serve as Head of Strategy and on the Board of Directors for Dufour Aerospace. Just four months after taking the helm, Hardegger was named by eVTOL Insights, a leading trade publication in the space, as “one to watch” in its first annual report.
Hardegger joined Dufour as Chief Commercial Officer in 2021, bringing 12 years of experience in Helicopter Emergency Medical Services and Search and Rescue from Swiss Air-Rescue Rega, where he led innovations in UAVs and drones. He is also a licensed pilot of various aircraft.
Re-engagement with Areion
On the commercial front, Dufour and Areion reaffirmed Areion’s purchase of 40 Aero2 drones, with options for an additional 100 aircraft in the future (Dufour and Spright previously announced this largest-ever purchase of civilian drones in 2023). Areion will continue its business development with the Aero2 drone, focusing on critical goods transport and other logistical applications. Dufour Aerospace’s Aero2 drone was showcased in Areion livery at the UP.Summit in Bentonville, Arkansas, in September.
Swiss Scanning of Alps
Dufour Aerospace began collaborating with RIEGL, BSF Swissphoto, and the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF on a series of test flights to collect high-resolution data on alpine environmental hazards and energy production. The testing aims to demonstrate the efficiency of drone application as an alternative to traditional aerial laser scanning methods.
Dufour Aerospace supports the project with its 3-metre-wingspan AeroMini and 6-metre-wingspan Aero2 UAS platforms. The series of tests are being prepared and will start with basic functional tests in early 2025, later to be expanded to the Alpine region.
First Flight in Sweden
In September, Dufour Aerospace successfully conducted customer demonstrations and tests at the Västervik airfield in Sweden, supported by the Västervik Drone Science Park and Savback Helicopters, one of our strategic partners. Managed by Dufour’s Operations Team, our smallest aircraft, the AeroMini10, proved its worth in real-world flying during 12 automated flights. The AeroMini10 is a scaled-down version of our 6-metre-wingspan Aero2 and has been helpful for proof-of-concept operations and training purposes.
Elysium Aircraft: Medical Logistics
Dufour Aerospace and Elysium Aircraft partnered to tackle a critical challenge in healthcare logistics: the fast and reliable delivery of medical supplies to remote regions. Founded in 2021, Elysium focuses on integrating drones into airspace operations while developing the necessary infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and procedures to enable safe and efficient delivery.
The team is preparing to begin flight tests with the Dufour AeroMini10 in Loire-Atlantique, France. These trials will explore how drones can help deliver essential medical supplies and organs over longer distances in an efficient, safe and environmentally friendly way.
Air Zermatt Collaboration
Dufour Aerospace has started a new collaboration with Air Zermatt, announced in December. Air Zermatt is a globally recognized leader in rescue operations. This partnership aims to explore the use of drones in improving emergency services, particularly in the rugged mountain terrain of the Valais region.
In a three-year program, Dufour Aerospace and Air Zermatt will analyze and test the use of drones in rescue operations. As part of the joint tests, Dufour Aerospace will also examine how helicopters and drones can be used together without posing a risk to each other.
Dufour Named a Top Startup in Zurich
Dufour Aerospace has been ranked in the top ten of the LinkedIn Top Startups for 2024 in Switzerland. For this ranking, LinkedIn data was analyzed in four categories: Employment Growth, Interest in Job Opportunities, Engagement with the Company and its Employees, and Attracting Top Talent from LinkedIn Top Companies. Only companies headquartered in Switzerland that are independent and privately owned, have at least 30 full-time employees, and are no more than seven years old are considered.
It’s been a fine year at Dufour Aerospace, and we’re ready for action in 2025.
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