AIRO Group has successfully completed the production of its first RQ-35 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones at its facility in Phoenix, Arizona. This significant milestone aligns with the production standards of the systems manufactured in Denmark.
The US-assembled RQ-35 drones have effectively completed Phase 1 of AIRO’s manufacturing and validation program. This phase included the full assembly of the systems as well as a comprehensive flight-test campaign, which concluded successfully on December 11. The RQ-35 aircraft are specifically engineered for operation in GPS-denied and electronic warfare-heavy environments, catering to the need for persistent ISR coverage while minimizing the workload on operators.
Executives from AIRO, alongside their Danish partner Sky-Watch, highlighted the effective collaboration that facilitated adherence to stringent engineering, production, and testing standards. This partnership has also been pivotal in advancing the RQ-35 through the Department of Defense’s Blue unmanned aerial system certification process, a step designed to simplify future procurement.
The global footprint of the RQ-35 ISR, also known as the RQ-35 Heidrun in international markets, has been expanding. It has garnered attention and interest from NATO partners and allied forces. Notably, Denmark and Germany have emerged as significant operators. Germany has supplied batches of RQ-35 Heidrun drones to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, with an initial delivery of 20 units in mid-2023 and more systems following to enhance Ukraine’s reconnaissance capabilities.
Looking ahead to 2024, coalition efforts have intensified. The Netherlands, in partnership with Denmark and Germany, recently announced an order valued at approximately 200 million euros (about $234 million) for additional RQ-35 Heidrun drones. These units are designated for delivery to Ukraine as part of a multinational coalition effort, further solidifying the RQ-35’s role in enhancing operational capabilities among allied forces.
