News archive: Robinson R66 | Airframer

2 July

Skyryse and Robinson plan unmanned aircraft system

An autonomy system developed by Skyryse will be integrated into the Robinson R66 to create Group 4 UAS for defence operators.

27 April

ReleaseSikorsky and Robinson Unmanned secure U.S. Marine Corps contract for autonomous aerial logistics program

28 March

ReleaseKULR ONE battery architecture enters electric aviation: KULR Technology Group signs agreement with Robinson Helicopter as battery co-developer for eR66 electric helicopter demonstrator

10 March

ReleaseRobinson Helicopter Company establishes Robinson Unmanned business unit, formalizing expansion into scalable autonomous aviation

10 March

ReleaseSikorsky collaborates with Robinson Helicopter Company to integrate MATRIX autonomy into Robinson R66 TurbineTruck

3 February

ReleaseSkyryse achieves $1.15B valuation, raises over $300M Series C to advance certification and scaling of its universal operating system for flight, SkyOS

17 November

ReleaseRobinson Helicopter elevates pilot experience with addition of Lightspeed Zulu 4 headset for any aircraft

28 October

ReleasemagniX Samson batteries to power Bye Aerospace’s eFlyer prototype training aircraft

31 July

The demonstrator will use a bespoke high-speed HeliStorm electric engine tailored for rotorcraft.

Robinson and MagniX target electric R66 first flight for 2026

The programme followed earlier successful R44 test flights and aimed to develop a battery-electric solution using the HeliStorm engine and Samson battery.

5 June

The system fully integrates with Garmin flight displays and includes smart servos and redundant sensors.

Garmin flight control system now standard on R66

FAA approval has cleared the way for Garmin’s GFC 600H to be included as standard on Robinson’s future R66 helicopters from SN1510 onwards.

21 May

ReleaseSkyryse advances towards FAA certification with for-credit flight testing

14 May

ReleaseRobinson Helicopter Company unveils new R66 Army Training helicopter at 2025 Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit

3 April

ReleaseUnither Bioélectronique completes the world’s first successful test flight of a piloted hydrogen-powered helicopter

11 March

ReleaseRobinson Helicopter Company shows upgraded versions of the R66 NXG at Verticon

4 February

ReleaseSkyryse One completes world's first fully automated landing with swipe of a finger

16 January

The updated cockpit for the Skyryse One aircraft reflects the company's mission to simplify flight operations for all.

Skyryse One gains updated cockpit design

Skyryse has previously designed interiors for Tesla, and has now revealed enhancements designed to improve the pilot's experience and streamline access to controls.

19 December

ReleaseSkyryse One completes world’s first fully automated takeoff with swipe of a finger

19 December

ReleaseRobinson Helicopter’s symmetrical horizontal stabilizer now approved for all models by European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), Argentina, Japan, and India

3 October

ReleaseSkyryse receives FAA certificate to take next step toward production of Skyryse One

21 August

Mikael Cardinal, Vice President United Therapeutics, and David Smith, president and CEO Robinson Helicopter Company.

Unither Bioelectronics steps up plans for hydrogen helicopters

Green hydrogen will drive the membrane-based fuel cell powerplants in Robinson R66 organ delivery electric helicopters.

11 July

ReleaseSkyryse grows footprint with new El Segundo facility

21 February

ReleaseSkyryse One begins new era of simpler, safer aviation

7 February

FAA approves Robinson empennage design for the R44

The development and testing of the new empennage design spanned several years, resulting in enhanced handling characteristics during high-speed flight.

5 September

ReleaseNew empennage for R66 turbine helicopters receives FAA approval

27 October

ReleaseSkyryse raises $200 million Series B to usher in a new era of mobility

11 May

ReleaseNew Robinsons include enhanced audio alerts

8 February

ReleaseRobinson's cockpit video camera now available

10 August

ReleaseRobinson delivers R66 serial number 1000

9 June

ReleaseFAA approves Shadin fuel flow meter on Robinson R66 turbine helicopters

13 May

ReleaseRobinson's impact-resistant windshields improve bird strike protection

29 August

ReleaseRobinson offers new R66 slimline auxiliary fuel tank at special introductory price

23 February

ReleaseRobinson introduces two Garmin G500H TXi displays

22 February

ReleaseMagellan Wire Strike Protection System now available for the Robinson R66 helicopter

22 February

ReleaseAvidyne receives Robinson Helicopter certification for IFD serise with synthetic vision and wireless connectivity

27 July

ReleaseFAA certifies Robinson R66 Turbine Newscopter

18 July

ReleaseLithium-ion engine start battery now available for Robinson R66

28 August

ReleaseRobinson introduces new R44 & R66 autopilot and Aspen Primary Flight Display package

5 March

ReleaseRolls-Royce RR300 engines to power Robinson's R66 helicopter