The US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded contracts to four companies as part of the Artemis project, an initiative focused on testing long-range, one-way uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).
The companies are Swan, Dragoon, AeroVironment (AV), and Auterion.
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The companies are tasked with developing ground-launched, affordable UAS platforms that can operate at ranges from 50km to more than 300km, launch quickly, navigate at low altitudes, carry various payloads, and more.
The Artemis project, in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DoD) Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, aims to conduct operational testing of platforms in environments where electronic warfare (EW) and global navigation satellite system are denied.
The directive from US Congress for this project was to develop loitering weapons systems that can function effectively in areas where electromagnetic interference is prevalent.
Additionally, these systems should be cost-effective enough to allow for their widespread deployment in necessary operations.
The contracts are also in line with the policy outlined by Secretary Pete Hegseth in a memo dated 18 February 2025. The directive provides an exemption for unmanned systems from the widespread reductions in defence spending, highlighting the DoD’s dedication to enhancing autonomous technologies as an essential element of contemporary military strategy.
DIU programme manager for the effort and contractor Trent Emeneker said: “We are excited about the non-traditional companies who are providing low-cost, adaptable, long-range, UAS platforms with the potential to maximise operational flexibility for the Joint force.
“This was the intent of Congress’ direction to rethink how to get capabilities to the warfighter at speed and scale that can deliver much faster than traditional Programs of Record.”
AV, one of the awardees, has been granted other transaction authority award by the DIU for Project Artemis.
The company claims that its platform is designed for mass production and to operate autonomously without GPS, ensuring resilience against advanced EW threats.
solution includes AVACORE autonomy software and SPOTR-Edge computer vision, enabling rapid deployment and scalability of these advanced platforms.
AV MacCready Works senior vice president and general manager Jeff Rodrian said: “Project Artemis represents a major step in transforming how the DoD identifies, tests, and deploys asymmetric capabilities to the war fighter at speed and scale.
“AV’s next-generation software-defined autonomous one-way attack UAS is already in the hands of early adopters and is now part of the Blue UAS ecosystem. Through this DIU contract, we look forward to quickly expanding its deployment to meet the urgent needs of today’s battlespace.”
Artemis is a step towards enhancing the military’s operational readiness in challenging environments where traditional navigation and communication systems are compromised.
The project’s final capabilities are expected to be demonstrated by the end of May 2025, following a testing and integration schedule.
The prototypes are to be completed by the end of the 2025 fiscal year.
These evaluations will provide data to inform procurement decisions for the Services and Combatant Commands, delivering options years ahead of traditional acquisition timelines.
In February 2025, AV was awarded a contract by the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation to provide its JUMP 20 medium UAS.
