Aspen Avionics has been participating in EAA AirVenture Oshkosh for 21 years, and since being acquired by Airo Group in 2020, has been branching into other markets that Airo serves, including drones, military training, and close air support. The synergies between the Airo divisions and access to shared resources will help drive innovation, according to John Uczekaj, president and COO. “You’re going to hear a lot from us in the coming years,” he said.
Aspen’s avionics systems will also branch into the eVTOL segment, including filling the avionics platform role for Airo’s Jaunt Air Mobility aircraft. “Electronics is one of the more exciting facets because of the leverage between Airo divisions,” Uczekaj said. “AI is probably one of the key ones that you're going to see, because clearly in drones, that is a big part of it. We’re going to see more of that in the main line avionics and commercial operations as well.”
Chirinjeev Kathuria, chairman of Airo Group, appreciates the many years that Aspen has been an AirVenture exhibitor and host of the welcome center in the North 40 campground. After Airo Group went public in June, the company’s four segments are poised to grow. “It's Oshkosh and this whole community and everyone here that's helped us get to where we are,” he said.
The company’s military training division was recently awarded a $5.7 billion training contract. Airo is now one of the largest providers of drones in conflict zones, and its Jaunt operation is developing a new middle-mile, medium-lift cargo drone. The drone will feature Jaunt’s slowed-rotor compound technology and carry 250 to 500 pounds more than 200 miles.
“We hope for a peaceful resolution for all the military conflicts, but with the new NATO spending and increased [U.S.] DOD budget, Airo is well-positioned for the future,” Kathuria said. “It’s a new era of warfare, and drones have changed everything. But there are so many other uses of drones, whether for homeland security, border security, and fish and wildlife. And not only for NATO countries but other countries.”
According to Uczekaj, the Airo group is now concentrating its efforts in areas that have the most growth potential. “We have the resources and can accelerate products to market," he said. "We’ll be able to get to market much faster, with strong segments that can feed each other. [For example], Aspen displays can go in military aircraft or Jaunt eVTOLs. There are lots of opportunities for us to take cost out but add enhancements more tailored to that platform, and higher quantities will drive prices down. We’re good at certification as well.”
With its training division, Airo Group is planning to grow in the commercial training market by acquiring flight training companies. “We’ve talked about it for the last six to eight months,” Kathuria said, “and we’ll probably make acquisitions in that market. There’s a significant pilot shortage, and we’re looking to address that.”
The Aspen unit remains committed to the general aviation market, in which it pioneered the instrument panel hole glass display upgrade. “We are solidly in the aftermarket,” he said. “We have more products coming, we’re a general aviation player, and will continue with that. This is our strong message for customers: they need to know we’re entrenched in this market.”