Contributor - UK

David Donald

Emirati defense technology group Edge is to partner in a joint venture with U.S. defense tech company Anduril to develop and produce next-generation Omen autonomous air vehicles (AAVs). The collaboration announced on Monday will include the establishment of the Edge-Anduril Production Alliance in the Emirates that will provide sales and sustainment support, as well as produce a range of AAVs aimed at both civil and defense requirements.
Omen is the first product of the joint venture, a recently developed hover-to-cruise AAV that has been designed to provide the endurance, payload, and mission flexibility of larger vehicles in a runway-independent Group 3 airframe. It draws on Anduril’s Lattice for Mission Autonomy software and Group 3 VTOL development, with heavy investment from Edge.
The AAV is will use a proprietary electric powertrain developed by eVTOL aircraft developer Archer Aviation. Announcing the partnership with Edge and Anduril, Archer said this is the first time the U.S. manufactured propulsion system already flying on its Midnight aircraft is being made available to a third party in what the company says will provide a new revenue source.
Omen is intended to provide long-range and high-payload capacity for distributed and expeditionary operations. It can be assembled by a two-person crew in minutes without the need for specialized equipment, and can be employed on a number of tasks, ranging from maritime surveillance and communications relay through to logistics resupply.
Omen already has an initial purchase commitment from the UAE for 50 systems, enabling a secure local supply chain and robust production base to be established at an early stage. The Edge-Anduril partnership aims to achieve full-rate production by the end of 2028.
As the first product of what is intended to become a central hub for the development and manufacturing of AAVs in the UAE, the Omen program marks a transition from co-development of AAVs to domestic mass production, as well as paving the way for additional AAV designs. In addition to satisfying domestic requirements, the Edge-Anduril joint venture aims to export products in the future.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Edge and Anduril To Partner on Autonomous Air Vehicles

The joint venture aims to establish a robust development and manufacturing hub for AAVs in UAE

Emirati defense technology group Edge is to partner in a joint venture with U.S. defense tech company Anduril to develop and produce autonomous air vehicles. 

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Charlotte Bailey

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Worldwide interest in autonomous S-70UAS a month after concept first revealed

Sikorsky on Track for U-Hawk First Flight Next Year 

The first example of the Vectis is in build and due to fly in 2027

Skunk Works Aims Vectis CCA at International Market

MQ-9B with Saab radar system will be the world’s first uncrewed AEW platform

Uncrewed Early Warning Platform To Fly Next Year

New interceptor complements the most-used Ukrainian heavy bomber drone 

Skyfall’s Vampire Sinking Teeth into Russia

UAVs offer surveillance, delivery, and attack capabilities

Dynamic Drone Designs Highlight Russian UAV Ambitions

 Testing and evaluation of Lodd’s freight-carrying drone will start in the UAE

Gulf Carrier Etihad Set to Trial Autonomous Cargo Aircraft

Crewed and uncrewed variants to support offshore energy industry 

Falcon Aviation Services Orders 50 AutoFlight eVTOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

Research will support next-generation uncrewed and collaborative air systems

Merlin, USAF Team on Autonomous Contingency Management

Dubai Airshow 2025

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles