AeroVironment unveils JUMP 20-X, UAS for maritime warfare

AeroVironment (AV) has introduced the JUMP 20-X, an uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed to enhance military operations in maritime and expeditionary environments.

Launched at the 2025 International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), the JUMP 20-X is a next-generation vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) system engineered for extended endurance, multi-domain connectivity, and autonomous shipboard deployment.

Equipped with a heavy-fuel engine capable of running on multiple fuel types, the JUMP 20-X increases operational flexibility and simplifies refuelling logistics, AV said.

Its modular design supports a variety of payloads, enabling intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), and precision strike capabilities.

The aircraft boasts a 13-hour flight endurance and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity, allowing for long-range missions in contested environments.

Built with an open-architecture system, it integrates with existing military networks and emerging technologies, ensuring interoperability across allied forces.

AI-driven autonomy enables precise takeoff and landing, even on moving vessels in rough conditions. AV’s SPOTR-Edge computer vision technology further enhances situational awareness, offering automated object detection and real-time tactical intelligence.

Shane Hastings, AV’s vice president and general manager of Medium Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, said: “The JUMP 20-X is more than a UAS—it’s a force multiplier that delivers the unmatched versatility, efficiency, and reliability modern operators’ demand.

“By combining cutting-edge autonomy, extended endurance, and a modular design, JUMP 20-X redefines what’s possible for maritime and expeditionary UAS operations in the most contested domains.”