German Firms to Build Modular ISR Uncrewed Aircraft
German defense electronics group HENSOLDT and unmanned systems specialist AVILUS have entered a strategic partnership to jointly develop and market advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions built entirely in Germany.
The collaboration aims to merge HENSOLDT’s high-performance sensor technology with AVILUS’s UAV expertise to create scalable platforms for both military and civilian applications.
According to a joint statement, the integration of HENSOLDT’s electro-optical systems, AMPS-M self-protection suite, and the PrecISR radar with AVILUS’s MissMarvin mission operating system will produce modular UAV platforms capable of performing surveillance, reconnaissance, and disaster-response missions across multiple domains.
“With AVILUS, we have an agile UAV specialist at our side who can optimally leverage our state-of-the-art sensor solutions. Together, we are focusing on technological sovereignty and short paths from development to operational readiness – for powerful and resilient UAV expertise in Germany,” said Christina Canitz, Head of Division Optronics at HENSOLDT.
AVILUS CEO Ernst Rittinghaus said the cooperation directly addresses operational gaps identified by users in the field. “AVILUS closes specific capability gaps in casualty evacuation, logistics and reconnaissance with robust, unmanned aerial systems. The focus is on operational proximity, reliability and rapid availability. Through close cooperation with HENSOLDT, we combine our platforms with state-of-the-art sensor technology, thus creating immediate added value for forces in the field,” Rittinghaus said.
HENSOLDT explained that the new electro-optical system enables the detection, classification and tracking of objects using multispectral sensors and AI-supported real-time processing. The system combines HD thermal, color/low-light, SWIR and wide-angle cameras to deliver a comprehensive situational picture, with all sensors active simultaneously and stabilized by a precision four-axis gimbal.
The AMPS-M defensive suite integrates up to 16 intelligent decoy launchers and includes sensors and countermeasures against missile, radar, and laser threats. HENSOLDT says the system’s modular design and low maintenance requirements are proven by a global fleet of more than 700 operational systems that have accumulated thousands of flight hours in cooperation with NATO partners.
HENSOLDT’s PrecISR radar is described as a software-defined X-band AESA system capable of detecting and tracking over 1,000 objects at once, including air, land, and maritime targets. The system functions under all weather conditions and can be integrated into various UAV platforms. It is also ITAR-free and scalable, which the company says makes it adaptable for both tactical and strategic missions.
With Germany’s Federal Aviation Authority already approving civil flight operations and a “company-owned, company-operated” business model in place, the partners intend to field their platforms for a wide range of missions—from disaster control and critical infrastructure monitoring to national border security.
HENSOLDT says the cooperation fits within its broader corporate strategy of advancing “software-defined defence” through targeted partnerships and technological integration. The companies are preparing for initial demonstrations and pilot programs to showcase operational capabilities and lay the groundwork for export-ready systems.
As noted by HENSOLDT, the partnership is designed to set new benchmarks for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities in unmanned aviation at both national and international levels. By combining advanced German-made sensors with modular UAV architecture, HENSOLDT and AVILUS are seeking to deliver adaptable, mission-ready systems that reinforce Europe’s drive toward defense technology sovereignty.