Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation has awarded AeroVironment subsidiary Arcturus UAV a contract worth up to $181 million for its JUMP 20 medium uncrewed aircraft systems. AV said the award is part of the country’s 10-year program to enhance the Danish Army’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
The JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing fixed-wing drone has an endurance of over 13 hours and an operational range of 185 kilometers. Designed for runway-independent deployment, it can autonomously launch and land and be set up in less than an hour, making it suitable for mobile operations. The drone is also equipped with Autonomous Control Engine, a proprietary solution, to deliver precise autonomous launches and landings in challenging environments. According to AV, JUMP 20’s modularity will allow the Danish Armed Forces to configure the platform to meet operational requirements and integrate new technologies.
Shane Hastings, AeroVironment vice president and general manager for medium UAS, noted JUMP 20’s ability to deliver simplicity, modularity and durability suited for the demanding Scandinavian terrain. “With a combat-proven track record and over 300,000 operational flight hours, JUMP 20 stands as a best-in-class UAS, equipping the Danish Armed Forces with unmatched multi-mission capabilities to operate effectively in complex and austere environments,” he said.
The contract from DALO follows the Lithuanian acquisition of small, vertical takeoff drones from AV worth $7.8 million for fire control and integration with Switchblade 600 systems. Additionally, AV recently received a $288 million delivery order for Switchblade loitering munition systems from the U.S. Army. This is the third order in the past year, totaling $471.3 million, under a multiyear contract with a $990 million ceiling.