avilus
Avilus GmbH manufactures and operates modular unmanned aircraft for defense, civil-protection, humanitarian, logistics, and critical-infrastructure customers, delivering Grille, Wespe, and Bussard systems through sales, Aircraft as a Service, training, and support.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersIsmaning, Germany
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What avilus does
Avilus GmbH is a German manufacturer and certified operator of dual-use unmanned aircraft, with more than 150 employees across its Ismaning and Bredstedt sites. It serves defense forces, civil-protection agencies, humanitarian organizations, and critical-infrastructure operators through the Grille evacuation and resupply platform, Wespe cargo and multi-role platform, and Bussard intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft. (Primary source:.)
The aircraft share RasCore, Avilus's modular avionics architecture integrating flight control, monitoring, navigation, communications, and transponders. RasCore Ground and RasCore Air use redundant control stations, dissimilar flight-control lanes, plug-in interfaces, and GNSS-independent inertial navigation designed to maintain operation in jammed, spoofed, or communications-degraded environments. Avilus also integrates its systems with battle-management systems and protected command vehicles. (Primary source:.)
Its stated revenue model combines direct aircraft and ground-control sales, multi-year Aircraft as a Service contracts, and training, maintenance, upgrades, and operational support. Distribution is primarily direct to government procurement agencies, military organizations, and civil-protection customers, supplemented by defense exhibitions, live demonstrations, and European defense research consortia; public pricing and contract values are not disclosed. (Primary source:.)
avilus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- avilus
- Legal name
- AVILUS GmbH
- Website
- https://avilus.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Avilus GmbH manufactures and operates modular unmanned aircraft for defense, civil-protection, humanitarian, logistics, and critical-infrastructure customers, delivering Grille, Wespe, and Bussard systems through sales, Aircraft as a Service, training, and support.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
avilus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Defense & Dual-Use UAVs)
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol) (IMABAAAH), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK), Military Avionics, Mission Computers & Flight Controls (IMABAMAE)
Keywords
Where avilus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ismaning
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
avilus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Aircraft as a Service (Drone as a Service): Avilus provides critical air support as an operational service tailored to mission profiles such as logistics, surveillance, or medical support. Instead of investing upfront in aircraft, customers gain immediate access to operational capability. This approach enables organizations to validate concepts, establish operational procedures, and build confidence under real-world conditions before deciding to procure their own systems.
- Aircraft Sales: Direct sale of unmanned aircraft systems (Grille, Wespe, Bussard) and associated ground control segments to government and defense customers.
- Training and Support Services: Operator training, maintenance, upgrades, and long-term operational support packages bundled with aircraft sales or service contracts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Aircraft as a Service - Operational capability without upfront investment |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
avilus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Avilus designs, manufactures and operates a family of dual-use unmanned aircraft systems (Grille for medical evacuation, Wespe for multi-role logistics, and Bussard for long-endurance ISR) unified by a proprietary RasCore avionics platform. The company also offers these capabilities as Aircraft as a Service, providing operational mission support without requiring customers to invest in owned aircraft. Target buyers are defense forces, civil protection agencies, NATO and humanitarian organizations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Grille: 9X series - Electric unmanned aircraft for medical evacuation, patient transport and resupply missions with 175kg payload capacity
- Wespe
- Bussard
- RasCore
Products and services
- Grille (9X series) Electric unmanned aircraft for medical evacuation, patient transport and resupply missions with up to 175 kg payload capacity, autonomous flight and GNSS-independent navigation. Targeted at defense forces for casualty evacuation and battlefield resupply.
- Wespe (9Y series) Multi-role unmanned aircraft for logistics, wildfire response, humanitarian relief and maritime operations with up to 350 kg total payload capacity. Designed for civil protection and defense logistics missions.
- Bussard (9Z series) Long-endurance fixed-wing unmanned aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions with 2,500 km range, 14-hour endurance and 150 kg payload capacity. Designed for defense and security ISR missions.
- Aircraft as a Service Operational service model providing critical air support as a managed service tailored to mission profiles such as logistics, surveillance or medical support. Customers access operational capability immediately without upfront capital investment, validate concepts under real-world conditions, and can later either procure their own systems or continue as long-term operational partners.
Quantifiable outcome
- Reduces flight-hour costs to a fraction of conventional systems while maintaining performance
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use avilus
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
avilus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability6 records
Feature4 records
avilus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- RASCAP ConsortiumcoreEuropean Defence Agency (EDA)-funded consortium advancing Robotic and Autonomous Systems for rescue and medical support operations. Avilus leads flight testing activities with Grille aircraft. Includes 10 partners: Avilus, Axnes AS, Epiguard AS, Nordiq Products AS, Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), KNDS, TUM-FSD, TUM-MED, Watchbird AS.
- HENSOLDTcoreHENSOLDT and Avilus expanding cooperation through integration of sensor technologies. HENSOLDT's AMPS-M self-protection system, PrecISR radar, and MissMarvin operating system integrated into Avilus UAV platforms Wespe and Bussard for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
- Breezer AircraftcoreSince beginning of 2025, Breezer Aircraft and Avilus have joined forces as one team. Collaboration brings together Breezer's manufacturing expertise with Avilus' innovations in unmanned systems and avionics. While Bussard is designed and tested in Bavaria, it is built in Schleswig-Holstein - a supply chain with strong German footprint.
- KNDS (Krauss-Maffei Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG)coreAvilus and KNDS collaborating on protected version of control room (P-PECC) integrated into BOXER armored vehicle. Partnership includes development of software plugins for SitaWare Suite providing digital command integration across all rescue chain levels.
- IFASminorIFAS (production partner) helped realize RAS-PECC (Patient Evacuation Coordination Cell) mobile control room within three months. RAS-PECC carries ground control segment for robotic and autonomous systems.
- Technical University of Munich (TUM)coreScientific leadership and research partnership in iMEDCAP consortium. TUM coordinates the European Defence Fund project. Also partner in RASCAP consortium for flight testing activities.
- iMEDCAP ConsortiumcoreEuropean Defence Fund project (Grant Agreement No. 101121421) with 24 partners from 9 nations. Develops fully integrated chain of robotic and autonomous systems for rescue of wounded soldiers within 'Golden Hour'. Led by Technical University of Munich.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
avilus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TEKEVER: European unmanned aerial systems provider focused on defense, security, and maritime surveillance. Comparable to Avilus through dual-use ISR UAS offerings and NATO-aligned European defense customer base.
- Wingcopter: German VTOL drone manufacturer focused on medical cargo delivery, logistics, and public services. Comparable to Avilus through its German origin, VTOL fixed-wing hybrid airframes, and emphasis on healthcare/logistics missions.
- Quantum Systems: German manufacturer of dual-use unmanned aircraft systems for defense, security, and commercial use, with a focus on autonomous ISR and reconnaissance platforms. Closest geographic and product-line peer to Avilus, competing for similar European defense and civil protection contracts.
Broad incumbents
- Anduril Industries: Large US defense technology company developing autonomous air, ground, and undersea systems for military and homeland security. Competes with Avilus in autonomous defense UAS, with much broader portfolio and capital base.
- Shield AI: US defense technology company building AI-piloted autonomous aircraft (Hivemind) and unmanned systems. Comparable to Avilus through focus on fully autonomous military aircraft and contested-environment operations.
- AeroVironment: US defense and commercial unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer supplying tactical ISR and loitering munitions to military customers. Comparable to Avilus as an established defense UAS provider in overlapping mission segments.
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems: US manufacturer of long-endurance unmanned aircraft (Predator, Reaper, MQ-9) for ISR and strike missions. Comparable to Avilus through fixed-wing long-endurance ISR UAV platform (Bussard) focus area.
- Airbus Defence and Space: European aerospace prime with unmanned aerial system programs (e.g., Eurodrone) and broader defense aviation portfolio. Comparable to Avilus as a large incumbent competing in European military UAS procurement.
- Thales Group: European defense and aerospace prime providing unmanned aerial systems, sensors, and mission systems. Comparable to Avilus through overlap in European defense ISR, sensor integration, and battle-management solutions.
Emerging players
- Skydio: US autonomous drone manufacturer with an expanding defense and public safety business segment. Comparable to Avilus through autonomous flight capability, dual-use positioning, and growing defense customer base.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
avilus social profiles
Digital presenceavilus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
avilus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
avilus subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
avilus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
avilus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about avilus
What does avilus do?
Avilus designs, manufactures and operates a family of dual-use unmanned aircraft systems (Grille for medical evacuation, Wespe for multi-role logistics, and Bussard for long-endurance ISR) unified by a proprietary RasCore avionics platform. The company also offers these capabilities as Aircraft as a Service, providing operational mission support without requiring customers to invest in owned aircraft. Target buyers are defense forces, civil protection agencies, NATO and humanitarian organizations.
Is avilus a public or private company?
avilus is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was avilus founded?
avilus was founded in 2021. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is avilus based?
avilus is headquartered in Ismaning, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does avilus make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Aircraft as a Service (Drone as a Service) is the primary driver. The others are aircraft Sales and training and Support Services.
Who are avilus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TEKEVER, Wingcopter and Quantum Systems. Broad incumbents are Anduril Industries, Shield AI, AeroVironment, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Group. Skydio is listed as an emerging player.
Does avilus have an API?
No public API is recorded for avilus.
What industry is avilus in?
avilus's product category is Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Defense & Dual-Use UAVs). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAC, VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAAAH, Special-Mission Fixed-Wing Aircraft Manufacturing (ISR, AEW&C, Patrol). Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.