<p>Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.</p>
<p>Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.</p>


Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

<p>Drone developer Destinus has agreed to acquire artificial intelligence-backed avionics specialist Daedalean. The deal was announced on August 5 by the European companies with a reported cash-and-stock price tag of approximately $225 million when it closes by year-end.</p>
<p>Since 2016, <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2025-05-19/ai-and-sensors-set-boost-situational-awareness">Daedalean</a> has been developing what it calls situational intelligence capability with AI-backed software supporting pilots with environmental awareness and navigation in GNSS-denied conditions. Destinus said this technology could be integrated with the Ruta, Hornet and Lord uncrewed air systems it is bringing to market for both the civil and defense sectors.</p>
<p>Over the past two years, Destinus’ business plan has shifted significantly with a shift away from plans to develop a <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-05-30/destinus-achieves-first-flight-hydrogen-afterburner-advance-plans">hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft</a>. Since flying its Jungfrau technology demonstrator in May 2023 has put this program on hold.</p>
<p>“For now, we are fully focused on developing advanced systems for unmanned aerial vehicles, primarily for the defense sector and other applications,” a company spokesperson told <strong>AIN</strong>. “We remain committed to our long-term vision of hypersonic flight and will return when the timing, market readiness, and technological priorities align.”</p>
<h2>Hypersonic Airliners Not Yet Viable</h2>
<p>According to Destinus, the viability of a hydrogen-powered hypersonic passenger airliner is highly uncertain due to multiple technical, regulator, and operational constraints. Instead, the company now sees hypersonic uncrewed vehicles as primarily being applicable for the defense sector.</p>
<p>Daedalean’s team includes more than 150 technical specialists, with 13 PhDs on the payroll with expertise in AI, machine learning, and avionics. The company’s CEO, Bas Gouverneur said the merger with Destinus will build on collaborative work the two companies have already been engaged in.</p>
<p>“We plan to use Daedalean’s AI technologies to enable advanced navigation in environments without GPS, enhance situational awareness, and support autonomous or semi-autonomous decision-making,” Destinus said. “This includes airborne and ground-based object detection and classification, and AI-assisted support for human operators who may be remotely managing these systems. We also see strong potential for using AI to enable more intelligent swarm coordination and reduce operator workload in complex scenarios. Depending on mission profiles and customer needs, these capabilities will be progressively integrated into platforms such as Ruta, Hornet, and Lord.”</p>
<article class="media media--type-video media--view-mode-default">
  
        <div class="layout layout--onecol">
    <div class="layout__region layout__region--content">
      <div class="block block-layout-builder block-field-blockmediavideofield-media-oembed-video">
  
    
      
            <div class="field field--name-field-media-oembed-video field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item"><iframe src="https://backend.ainonline.com//media/oembed?url=https%3A//youtu.be/PELM6c0u8dQ&amp;max_width=0&amp;max_height=0&amp;hash=9R-_-gE8roMcBHDa5VTX9DQjrBIb7g7Nr79RFFP5hLE" width="200" height="113" class="media-oembed-content" loading="eager" title="Daedalean’s AI Situational Intelligence Promises Extra Dimension for Flight Safety – FutureFlight"></iframe>
</div>
      
  </div>

    </div>
  </div>

  </article>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


<p>New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.</p>


Drone Developer Destinus Buys Artificial Intelligence Pioneer Daedalean

Destinus has put plans for a hydrogen-powered hypersonic aircraft on hold

With the acquisition of AI avionics software developer Daedalean, Destinus will now prioritize the development of advanced uncrewed air systems.

Drone Developer Destinus Acquires AI Pioneer Daedalean

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Curt Epstein

<p>News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.</p>


<p>News and information on safety procedures and concerns.</p>


<p>News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.</p>


The upgrade requires the G1000NXi cockpit upgrade

Garmin Autoland, Autothrottle OK’d for Some King Air 300s

CJ1 and CJ2 operators have three tiers to choose from

Elliott Introduces Citation CJ1/Cj2 Avionics Packages

Hanneke Weitering

<p>News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.</p>


Glass cockpit features large touchscreen flight displays

XTI Picks Garmin G700 TXi Avionics for TriFan 600 VTOL Aircraft

Matt Thurber

<p>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.</p>


U.S. Coast Guard deal has option years that run though 2030

Acron Awarded Standby Display Contract for USCG Jayhawk

Company says it has installed the most Garmin upgrades of any dealer

Elliott Aviation Completes 5th G600 TXi CJ Installation

<p>News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.</p>


In this article

Daedalean

More In Avionics

Garmin Autoland, Autothrottle OK’d for Some King Air 300s

The upgrade requires the G1000NXi cockpit upgrade

Elliott Introduces Citation CJ1/Cj2 Avionics Packages

CJ1 and CJ2 operators have three tiers to choose from

XTI Picks Garmin G700 TXi Avionics for TriFan 600 VTOL Aircraft

Glass cockpit features large touchscreen flight displays

Acron Awarded Standby Display Contract for USCG Jayhawk

U.S. Coast Guard deal has option years that run though 2030

Elliott Aviation Completes 5th G600 TXi CJ Installation

Company says it has installed the most Garmin upgrades of any dealer

Daedalean’s AI Situational Intelligence Promises Extra Dimension for Flight Safety

Tech like this can act as additional eyes for the pilot.

Epic Certifies Weather Radar for E1000 Turboprops

Addition of radome didn’t affect cruise performance

Garmin Integrated Flight Deck Approved for Citation CJ1

Upgrade replaces original avionics with touchscreen displays and digital autopilot

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN