AeroVironment Unveils JUMP 20-X: A Game-Changer in Autonomous Maritime Operations
AeroVironment (AV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain autonomous solutions, has unveiled the JUMP® 20-X, a next-generation, modular Group 3 uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) engineered to set a new standard in maritime operations. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of modern warfare, this advanced system brings unprecedented versatility, efficiency, and precision to contested and complex operational environments.
The JUMP 20-X was officially introduced at the 2025 International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX), showcasing its revolutionary capabilities. As a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS), it is built to transform shipboard UAS operations. Equipped with a state-of-the-art heavy-fuel engine capable of running on multiple fuel types, the JUMP 20-X enhances operational flexibility while simplifying refueling logistics. This innovation ensures seamless adaptability across various maritime and expeditionary mission environments, making it an essential asset for modern naval and defense forces.
Unmatched Endurance, Multi-Domain Connectivity, and Scalable Lethality
The JUMP 20-X is designed for extended operations in diverse domains. With an impressive flight endurance of up to 13 hours and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity, it guarantees persistent surveillance and strike capabilities far beyond the horizon. Its robust modular design supports an unparalleled 30-pound multi-payload capacity, enabling operators to conduct a diverse range of mission sets, including:
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Provides real-time battlefield awareness, ensuring accurate intelligence gathering for military decision-making.
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) & Wide-Area Surveillance (WAS): Enables superior imaging and monitoring capabilities, even in challenging weather conditions.
- Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) & Electronic Warfare (EW): Facilitates intercepting, monitoring, and disrupting enemy communications, bolstering information dominance.
- Secure Communications & Video Relay: Ensures secure data transmission for coordinated tactical operations.
- Precision Strike Capabilities: Supports customizable lethality options for targeted engagements, enhancing mission effectiveness.
The extensive payload versatility ensures that the JUMP 20-X can seamlessly adapt to various mission requirements, making it an indispensable asset for military forces operating in maritime and expeditionary theaters.
Future-Proofed with MOSA: Modular, Open, Systems, Approach
Designed with a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the JUMP 20-X embodies a future-proof architecture. Its payload-agnostic, radio-agnostic, and STANAG-compliant framework allows for seamless integration with existing military networks and emerging technologies. This adaptability ensures that operators can rapidly incorporate new capabilities, enhancing mission flexibility and responsiveness in real time.
By leveraging MOSA, the JUMP 20-X ensures full interoperability across joint, allied, and coalition forces. This capability is critical for modern defense strategies, where collaborative and multi-national operations are increasingly becoming the norm. The ability to integrate effortlessly into evolving mission networks guarantees that the JUMP 20-X remains a cutting-edge asset well into the future.
AI-Powered Precision & Autonomous Shipboard Operations
The JUMP 20-X is built for autonomous operation, particularly in the demanding conditions of maritime environments. Leveraging advanced AI-driven autonomy, it ensures precise takeoff and landing even on fast-moving naval vessels in rough seas or extreme conditions, whether during the day or night.
In addition to its advanced flight capabilities, the JUMP 20-X incorporates SPOTR-Edge™ computer vision technology, a groundbreaking system designed to enhance situational awareness. SPOTR-Edge™ enables automated object detection and classification, providing real-time intelligence and tactical decision-making support.
From identifying hostile threats to tracking moving maritime and aerial assets, SPOTR-Edge™ enhances operational effectiveness by offering an unprecedented level of intelligence at the tactical edge. The integration of AI-driven automation reduces operator workload while improving mission precision and execution speed, making the JUMP 20-X an essential tool in modern defense strategies.
Revolutionizing Maritime UAS Operations
The JUMP 20-X is more than just an incremental advancement in UAS technology; it represents a paradigm shift in maritime and expeditionary operations. By combining cutting-edge autonomy, extended endurance, and a modular design, the JUMP 20-X delivers a game-changing solution that meets the evolving demands of modern defense forces.
Shane Hastings, AV’s Vice President and General Manager of Medium Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, emphasized the transformative impact of this innovation:
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.”
With the increasing complexity of modern battlefields and the growing importance of autonomous systems, the JUMP 20-X provides defense forces with a cutting-edge tool that enhances operational effectiveness while reducing risks to personnel. Its capability to execute diverse mission sets, from ISR to precision strikes, ensures it remains a critical asset in multi-domain operations.
Strategic Advantage in Modern Warfare
The JUMP 20-X represents a significant leap forward in uncrewed aircraft technology, offering a strategic advantage to defense forces operating in contested environments. With its ability to conduct extended missions with minimal logistical support, it enhances the operational reach of military forces, allowing for sustained operations even in the most challenging conditions.
Additionally, its integration with existing and future military infrastructure ensures that it can seamlessly work alongside other platforms, including crewed and uncrewed assets, to provide a holistic and coordinated defense strategy. The combination of AI-powered autonomy, multi-domain connectivity, and scalable lethality positions the JUMP 20-X as a transformative force in modern military aviation.
The unveiling of the JUMP 20-X at IDEX 2025 marks a milestone in the evolution of autonomous maritime operations. Its ability to deliver unmatched endurance, adaptability, and precision makes it an indispensable asset for naval and expeditionary forces worldwide.
By integrating advanced AI-driven autonomy, modular payload configurations, and next-generation surveillance and strike capabilities, AeroVironment has redefined the potential of uncrewed aircraft systems in modern warfare. As defense forces continue to adapt to the dynamic nature of global security threats, the JUMP 20-X stands as a powerful solution that enhances operational effectiveness while ensuring mission success in the most challenging environments.
With its future-proof design and groundbreaking innovations, the JUMP 20-X is set to revolutionize maritime UAS operations and solidify AeroVironment’s position as a leader in autonomous defense technology. This next-generation UAS is not just a tool for today’s missions—it is a blueprint for the future of military aviation.
