Dufour Aerospace
Dufour Aerospace is a Swiss aerospace company developing hybrid-electric tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft, led by the Aero-200 cargo drone, for healthcare logistics, public safety, remote area delivery, and defence customers served via direct sales and a global network of regional operator partners ahead of a 2027 commercial launch.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersVisp, Switzerland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Dufour Aerospace does
Dufour Aerospace AG is a Switzerland-based aerospace company founded in 2017/2018 that designs and develops hybrid-electric tilt-wing eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) aircraft for mission-critical cargo and surveillance applications. Its core product platform centres on the Aero-200 (formerly Aero2), a hybrid-electric uncrewed tilt-wing drone with up to 38–40 kg useful load, a 20 kg / 200 km standard mission profile, 125 km/h efficient cruise speed, and 1+ hour endurance, supported by the Aero-30 test platform, the in-development Aero-3 manned air-ambulance aircraft (developed with Swiss Air-Rescue Rega), and a dedicated Defence sub-brand. The company's technical differentiators are a proprietary in-house flight control system (100 Hz update rate, fly-by-wire envelope protection, autonomous transition), a series hybrid-electric propulsion system combining a small two-cylinder combustion engine with electric motors (90% energy efficiency, up to 1,300 km long-range configuration, 10% of helicopter fuel requirement), and a modular nose payload architecture reconfigurable in approximately 10 minutes.
The business model is a hardware-led enterprise and government sale of aircraft and supporting services. Revenue mechanics are anchored by purchase agreements and purchase options with named launch operators including Spright (up to 140 Aero2), Areion (40 + 100 options), Blueberry Aviation (100 Aero2 + 100 Aero3), European Medical Drone (11 aircraft), Swiss Helicopter (LoI for 3), and Copenhagen Helicopter (LoI), supplemented by training, simulator access, remote operations support, and maintenance services. Go-to-market is sales-led and consultative, combining direct engagement with defence ministries, healthcare organisations, and logistics operators with a layered channel network: Savback Helicopters (Scandinavia), Volatus Aerospace (North America, including Toronto training academy and OCC), AirMobility Inc. (Japan), and Blueberry Aviation (global commercial advisory). Commercial market availability for serial-production Aero-200 is targeted for 2027; the company is currently pre-revenue, with cumulative disclosed funding of approximately $11M plus an undisclosed Vista Global Series B and a CHF 2.5M Innosuisse grant.
Dufour Aerospace firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Dufour Aerospace
- Legal name
- Dufour Aerospace AG
- Website
- https://dufour.aero
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Dufour Aerospace is a Swiss aerospace company developing hybrid-electric tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft, led by the Aero-200 cargo drone, for healthcare logistics, public safety, remote area delivery, and defence customers served via direct sales and a global network of regional operator partners ahead of a 2027 commercial launch.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Dufour Aerospace industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electric Aircraft / eVTOL Aircraft
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (3364), Aircraft Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (336412), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tiltrotor & Compound Rotorcraft Manufacturing (IMABABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH), Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH)
Keywords
Where Dufour Aerospace is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Visp
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
Dufour Aerospace business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Aircraft Hardware Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft platforms (Aero-200/Aero-30) and associated systems to enterprise, government, and operator customers. Sales include purchase agreements with options for additional aircraft (e.g., Spright up to 140 aircraft, Areion 40+100, Blueberry Aviation 100 Aero2 + 100 Aero3). Market availability for serial production aircraft targeted for 2027.
- Service and Support Contracts: Revenue from training, simulator access, operational support, and maintenance services associated with aircraft deployment. Includes remote operations support and customer-specific integration services.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Dufour Aerospace product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Dufour Aerospace designs, develops, and manufactures hybrid-electric tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft, with the Aero-200 as its primary commercial product for critical cargo transport, search and rescue, medical logistics, and defence missions. The company also develops the Aero-3 passenger transport aircraft and a dedicated Defence product line, supported by a proprietary in-house flight control system, series hybrid-electric propulsion, and a Remote Operations Control Centre for BVLOS operations. Market availability for serial production Aero-200 aircraft is targeted for 2027, with multiple purchase commitments already in place from enterprise and government customers.
Product overview
Dufour Aerospace develops a family of tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft for critical missions. The core product is the Aero-200, a hybrid-electric drone for cargo transport, logistics, and public safety that combines VTOL capability with fixed-wing efficiency. Supporting products include the Aero-30 (small-scale test platform), the Aero-3 (flagship passenger transport aircraft in development), and Aero1 (electric aerobatic test platform). The company also operates a dedicated Defence division for military applications. All aircraft feature proprietary in-house flight control systems and hybrid-electric propulsion.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Aero-200 (formerly Aero2) Primary commercial hybrid-electric tilt-wing eVTOL drone for critical cargo transport, search and rescue, medical logistics, and inspection missions. Transports up to 20 kg payload over 200 km (standard mission) with VTOL capability and fixed-wing cruise efficiency. Features proprietary flight control system, distributed electric propulsion, and modular nose for payload integration. Useful load 38 kg; efficient cruise speed 125 km/h; MTOM 208 kg; 5x more efficient than helicopters for long-range SAR.
- Aero-3 Flagship tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft for passenger transport, with a projected cruise speed of 350 km/h and 1020 km range. Developed in cooperation with Swiss Air-Rescue Rega for air ambulance applications.
- Dufour Aerospace Defence Dedicated defence product line with unmanned and hybrid aircraft solutions for demanding military and security operations. Supports intelligence, surveillance, logistics, and tactical missions with VTOL capability, long-range performance, and mission adaptability for civil-military dual-use applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5x more efficient than state-of-the-art helicopters for long-range search and rescue operations
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Dufour Aerospace
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Dufour Aerospace technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability1 record
Feature6 records
Dufour Aerospace partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor, moderate and flagship.
- Savback HelicopterscoreSwedish helicopter specialist appointed as distributor for Dufour eVTOL aircraft in Scandinavia. Signed MoU for acquisition of initial fleet of 3 Aero-200 aircraft with commercial launch planned for Sweden in 2027. Partnership builds on years of collaboration and aims to establish a premier long-range drone logistics network across Northern Europe (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany).
- Murzilli ConsultingminorMulti-day strategy workshops conducted to align vision, regulatory realities, and development priorities for eVTOL certification and deployment.
- CHU de Nantes (CR2TI UMR 1064)moderateResearch team from CHU de Nantes led by Prof. Julien Branchereau and Dr. Benoît Mesnard provided medical oversight and tissue handling for the first medical graft transport by drone in France. Part of complex multi-stakeholder healthcare logistics operation.
- IGL (I-CAIR group)minorFamily-owned organ preservation specialist providing essential solutions and knowledge for protection and transport of medical grafts during drone delivery missions in France.
- Volatus AerospaceflagshipStrategic teaming agreement to advance aerial cargo, surveillance, inspection, and mapping missions. Expanded to runway-independent cargo capabilities for Arctic, defence, and commercial operations. Installation of dedicated simulator at Volatus Toronto facility for pilot training and customer evaluation. Deployment of Operations Control Centre (OCC) capabilities for remote flight operations in Canada. First remotely operated flight from Volatus control centre conducted May 2026.
- Air ZermattcorePartnership to explore use of drones in emergency services, particularly in rugged mountain terrain of the Valais region. Air Zermatt, a globally recognized leader in rescue operations, exploring how Dufour drones can complement and extend their existing capabilities in challenging mountainous environments.
- AreioncoreU.S.-based customer with renewed partnership and commitment to purchase 40 Aero2 drones with option for 100 additional drones. Showcased Aero-200 at FAA-approved Pendleton UAS Test Range in Oregon.
- LeeftcoreFrench pioneer in inter-hospital drone logistics. Led the first medical graft transport by drone in France, with Dufour providing the AeroMini drone system and integration support. Complex operation involving CHU de Nantes, IGL, and local authorities.
- Loft DynamicsmoderatePartnership for VR flight simulation technology for eVTOL aircraft. Loft Dynamics developing a simulator for Dufour Aerospace's eVTOL aircraft, leveraging European regulatory changes allowing increased use of VR simulators for pilot training.
- Loft DynamicsmoderateVR flight simulation technology provider for eVTOL pilot training. European regulatory change may allow increased use of VR simulators for training and checks. Loft Dynamics developing simulator for Dufour eVTOL aircraft with potential global implications for pilot training safety and accessibility.
- BSF SwissphotominorSwiss-Austrian consortium partner for large-scale laser scanning applications in the Swiss Alps. Partnered with Dufour Aerospace, RIEGL, and WSL for multi-month test flight campaign.
- WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF)minorSwiss Federal Institute participating in Swiss-Austrian consortium for laser scanning applications in the Swiss Alps, validating drone-based large-scale geospatial data acquisition.
- RIEGLmoderatePartnership with Austrian LiDAR manufacturer for integration of RIEGL VUX-120-23 LiDAR system on Dufour tilt-wing platform. First successful functional flight test completed February 2025 as part of Swiss-Austrian consortium for large-scale geospatial data acquisition.
- Copenhagen HelicopterminorDanish company (with partner Copenhagen AirTaxi) signed letter of intent for conditional order to purchase Aero2 UAV for cargo/aerial work and Aero3 for passenger transportation, targeting environmentally friendly transportation in Denmark and neighboring countries.
- European Medical DronecoreDevelopment cooperation and purchase agreement for 11 Aero2 uncrewed tilt-wing aircraft signed October 2023 for medical cargo transport operations in Europe.
- armasuisse S+T (Swiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement)moderateSwiss Federal Office for Defence Procurement, represented by the Swiss Drone and Robotics Centre, engaged Dufour Aerospace for a design study.
- Suter IndustriesmoderateFrame contract signed for TOA 288 power units for Aero2 VTOL aircraft. Suter Industries provides the two-cylinder engine for the hybrid-electric propulsion system, which was put into operation in March 2023.
- Swiss HelicoptermoderateSwitzerland's leading helicopter company signed Letter of Intent for purchase of two Aero2 and one Aero3 tilt-wing aircraft, March 2023.
- Spright (Air Methods drone division)flagshipLaunch customer for Aero2 with commitment for up to 140 Aero2 unmanned tilt-wing aircraft (40 firm + 100 options). Received first Aero2 X2.2 demonstrator aircraft in November 2023 for U.S. operations. Partnership represents the largest single purchase commitment for Dufour aircraft.
- RUAGmoderateCooperation on development of Aero2. Intended to develop into a long-term strategic partnership in the field of development, manufacture, and maintenance of eVTOL aircraft and components.
- V-STAR Powered Lift AviationminorPartnership giving Australian venture early access to Dufour's unmanned and manned tilt-wing aircraft.
- Blueberry AviationcoreGlobal long-term commercial partnership. Blueberry Aviation provides global marketing advisory, placement support, helicopter trade-in services, and financial tools (funding/lease) for Dufour products. Acquired 100 Aero2 and 100 Aero3 aircraft from Dufour Aerospace.
- Swiss Air-Rescue RegacoreDevelopment cooperation announced for innovative Aero3 eVTOL aircraft for patient transport. Rega, Switzerland's world-renowned helicopter rescue organization, working with Dufour on ongoing development of the tilt-wing aircraft for air ambulance applications.
- AirMobility Inc.minorJapan-based distribution agreement for Dufour eVTOL products.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights7 records
Dufour Aerospace competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Elroy Air: Elroy Air builds autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft (Chaparral) targeting middle-mile logistics. Comparable in tilt-rotor/cargo architecture, hybrid-electric propulsion, and pre-commercial logistics use cases.
- Pyka: Pyka develops autonomous electric fixed-wing cargo aircraft (Pelican Spray, Cargo) focused on agricultural and logistics missions. Highly comparable to Dufour's Aero-200 in autonomous cargo eVTOL/cTOL positioning, target verticals, and pre-commercial scale.
- Wisk Aero: Wisk Aero (backed by Boeing) develops autonomous electric tilt-rotor eVTOL aircraft (Generation 6) for passenger air taxi. Highly comparable in autonomous eVTOL tilt-wing/tilt-rotor architecture, in-house flight control, and pursuit of FAA certification.
- Volocopter: Volocopter builds electric multicopter eVTOLs (VoloCity, VoloRegion) for passenger urban air mobility. Comparable as an eVTOL developer pursuing type certification in Europe and operating from the broader AAM category.
- Beta Technologies: Beta Technologies builds electric conventional-takeoff (Alia) aircraft for cargo and passenger missions, alongside a charging infrastructure network. Comparable in eVTOL/electric aviation category, target use cases (medical cargo, logistics), and the broad push toward certifiable electric aviation.
Broad incumbents
- Joby Aviation: Joby is the most advanced eVTOL passenger air-taxi developer (S4), publicly listed and further along in FAA certification. Comparable in eVTOL platform development, proprietary flight controls, and pursuit of certifiable autonomous flight, though focused on passenger urban air mobility rather than long-range cargo.
- Pipistrel (Textron eAviation): Pipistrel, owned by Textron, produces the Velis Electro (the only type-certified electric aircraft in commercial service) and the Nuuva V300 hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone. Comparable in electric/hybrid-electric fixed-wing and VTOL platforms targeting cargo and training missions.
- Archer Aviation: Archer develops the Midnight eVTOL for urban air mobility, publicly listed with significant capital. Comparable in eVTOL platform ambition and pursuit of certification, though focused on passenger rather than cargo missions.
Emerging players
- Sabrewing Aircraft: Sabrewing develops the Rhaegal-A, a hydrogen-electric VTOL cargo aircraft for long-range heavy-lift logistics. Comparable in long-range unmanned cargo VTOL positioning, though using hydrogen propulsion rather than hybrid-electric.
- MightyFly: MightyFly builds hybrid-electric VTOL cargo aircraft (Cento) for middle-mile autonomous logistics. Comparable in hybrid-electric VTOL cargo architecture, autonomous operations, and pre-commercial logistics focus.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Dufour Aerospace social profiles
Digital presenceDufour Aerospace compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Dufour Aerospace financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Dufour Aerospace leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Dufour Aerospace funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors4 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Dufour Aerospace M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Dufour Aerospace
What does Dufour Aerospace do?
Dufour Aerospace designs, develops, and manufactures hybrid-electric tilt-wing eVTOL aircraft, with the Aero-200 as its primary commercial product for critical cargo transport, search and rescue, medical logistics, and defence missions. The company also develops the Aero-3 passenger transport aircraft and a dedicated Defence product line, supported by a proprietary in-house flight control system, series hybrid-electric propulsion, and a Remote Operations Control Centre for BVLOS operations. Market availability for serial production Aero-200 aircraft is targeted for 2027, with multiple purchase commitments already in place from enterprise and government customers.
Is Dufour Aerospace a public or private company?
Dufour Aerospace is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Dufour Aerospace founded?
Dufour Aerospace was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Dufour Aerospace based?
Dufour Aerospace is headquartered in Visp, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does Dufour Aerospace make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Aircraft Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are service and Support Contracts.
Who are Dufour Aerospace's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Elroy Air, Pyka, Wisk Aero, Volocopter and Beta Technologies. Broad incumbents are Joby Aviation, Pipistrel (Textron eAviation) and Archer Aviation. Emerging players are Sabrewing Aircraft and MightyFly.
Does Dufour Aerospace have an API?
No public API is recorded for Dufour Aerospace.
What industry is Dufour Aerospace in?
Dufour Aerospace's product category is Electric Aircraft / eVTOL Aircraft. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABABAC, Tiltrotor & Compound Rotorcraft Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABADAH, Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional). Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.