- – Dean Attridge named Director of Business Development
- – Former Volatus executive bolsters expertise in delivering complex UAS programs for commercial, military and public safety operators
Wilmington, MA – September 3, 2024 – Ascent AeroSystems, the world’s leading manufacturer of compact, high-performance coaxial unmanned aerial vehicle drone systems, today announced it has named Dean Attridge as director of business development. A proven business leader in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry, Attridge joins Ascent to support increasing global demand for its reliable UAV/UAS solutions across U.S. and international military, commercial and industrial markets.
“We are excited to welcome Dean to the Ascent team,” remarked Ascent AeroSystems Vice President of Business Development Paul Fermo. “Over the past decade, Dean has become a recognized expert in aerial intelligence; delivering the right unmanned vehicle solutions for commercial, military and public safety operators. He brings the right combination of technical and operational knowledge to help us accelerate adoption and deployment of our innovative platforms.”
Prior to joining Ascent, Attridge served as vice president of solutions engineering for Volatus Aerospace where he was responsible for building complex UAS programs, including equipment, operating procedures, regulatory support, and more. Attridge began his civilian career after an impressive 32-years of service with the British Military. Primarily focused on program management, training, and introducing new equipment into service, he also flew Lynx, Apache and MQ-9 Reaper on multiple combat operations.
“As an Apache and UAS pilot for more than two decades, and more recently as a long-term champion and reseller of the Ascent products, I have a unique, first-hand understanding of the complexities of the modern battlespace and the far-reaching benefits of UAV/UAS technology,” said Attridge. “I’m thrilled to bring my two worlds together at such an exciting time in the company’s history, and eager to contribute to Ascent’s future growth.”
To learn more about Ascent AeroSystems, visit us at https://ascentaerosystems.com/ or stop by to see us at the USA Partnership Pavilion, stand G084, at Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Victoria, Australia, September 11 – 13, 2024.
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About Ascent AeroSystems
Founded in 2014, Massachusetts-based Ascent AeroSystems designs and manufactures rugged, coaxial unmanned aerial vehicle drone systems for defense, public safety and industrial markets. The compact, all-weather, high-performance vehicles feature a unique cylindrical configuration that’s far more portable and durable than conventional multirotors, ideally suited for mission-critical operations in the toughest environments.
Ascent was acquired in April 2024 by Torrance, CA-based Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC), a premier aerospace OEM with 50 years of manufacturing experience and more than 13,000 type-certificated aircraft delivered to date. Ascent is now a wholly owned RHC subsidiary. For additional information, visit https://ascentaerosystems.com/.