AeroVironment and UAS Denmark Forge Strategic Alliance to Advance Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Capabilities Across Europe
AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, has announced the signing of a pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hans Christian Andersen Airport in Odense, Denmark. The site is home to the UAS Denmark Test Center—one of Europe’s most expansive and advanced facilities for testing uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). This collaboration signifies a major step forward in strengthening allied UAS capabilities throughout Europe and sets the foundation for enhanced innovation, operational readiness, and interoperability among NATO-aligned forces.
The MOU outlines a shared vision for the utilization of the UAS Denmark Test Center’s unique infrastructure and extensive segregated airspace to support AeroVironment’s (AV) demonstration flights, operator and mission training, and customer integration efforts. Through this agreement, AV and UAS Denmark will explore co-development and co-utilization of the center’s specialized testing capabilities, thereby fostering research and development initiatives and accelerating regional progress in UAS technologies.
Unlocking the Strategic Potential of Odense’s UAS Ecosystem
Odense has quickly become a nexus for UAS innovation and aerospace development within Europe. The UAS Denmark Test Center, located at Hans Christian Andersen Airport, offers a unique combination of secure airspace, advanced control facilities, and logistical infrastructure optimized for testing next-generation UAS platforms in both civilian and defense applications.
Through this partnership, AeroVironment gains direct access to an operational environment ideally suited for the rigorous demands of modern unmanned systems evaluation. The center’s capability to support both line-of-sight and beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations is particularly valuable for demonstrating the full potential of AV’s solutions, which are designed for mission-critical applications in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as tactical defense support.
“Our collaboration with UAS Denmark enables us to bring the full scope of AeroVironment’s UAS ecosystem to our European partners,” said Shane Hastings, Vice President and General Manager of Medium UAS at AeroVironment. “This MOU represents a significant milestone in expanding AV’s operational presence on the continent. It positions us to deliver enhanced capabilities, mission-critical training, and integrated, combat-proven solutions to allied defense forces and government stakeholders.”
Building on Existing Defense Cooperation
The new MOU with UAS Denmark closely follows AeroVironment’s landmark Framework Agreement with the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO), signed in February 2025. Under the terms of that agreement, AV is supplying a suite of advanced uncrewed aircraft systems, along with extensive operator and maintainer training, and long-term lifecycle support, to bolster the Danish Armed Forces’ ISR capabilities.
The partnership with UAS Denmark not only builds upon this existing framework but expands AV’s engagement with Denmark from procurement support into a more integrated role in training, testing, and innovation. As part of the ongoing framework, AV’s systems are already helping to modernize the Danish military’s tactical situational awareness, providing real-time data collection, battlefield intelligence, and responsive mission support across a range of operational scenarios.
“With the backing of both DALO and the UAS Denmark Test Center, we’re able to offer Danish and other NATO-aligned forces access to some of the most capable, flexible, and scalable UAS platforms available,” Hastings added. “This strategic partnership reflects our commitment to supporting the readiness and operational superiority of our European allies.”
Advancing Research, Innovation, and Operational Integration
Beyond operational deployments, the MOU is expected to facilitate joint research and development initiatives focused on emerging technologies in autonomous flight, secure communications, sensor payloads, and collaborative UAS operations. These initiatives will likely feed directly into AV’s ongoing product development efforts and align with broader NATO goals of enhancing interoperability and strategic autonomy in critical technologies.
The collaboration also provides an opportunity to validate and refine AV’s UAS platforms within diverse European airspace environments, ensuring that the systems are compliant with both EU regulations and individual country requirements. By incorporating local testing, data feedback, and user-centric design enhancements, AV can accelerate the tailoring of its systems for specific mission sets across multiple European defense forces.
For UAS Denmark, the partnership cements the center’s growing reputation as a key player in the development of European drone and robotics technologies. Hosting a world-class defense contractor like AeroVironment provides both validation and visibility, and the collaboration is expected to attract further investment, stimulate local innovation ecosystems, and create knowledge-sharing opportunities that benefit Denmark’s broader tech sector.
Enhancing Readiness Through Integrated Training
Training plays a central role in the partnership. As UAS become increasingly integrated into modern battlefield doctrine, there is a growing need to provide operators with advanced simulation, mission rehearsal, and field training that reflects the real-world complexity of multi-domain operations.
Through joint use of the UAS Denmark Test Center, AV intends to support a full spectrum of training exercises, from basic flight instruction to advanced tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) development. This includes support for hybrid training programs that combine classroom instruction, simulator-based scenarios, and live flight evaluations.
Moreover, the proximity of the test center to key European military hubs will enable AV to host multinational training events, fostering interoperability and joint tactical familiarity among allied operators. These programs are expected to cover a wide array of UAS mission profiles, including ISR, precision targeting, logistics resupply, and search and rescue (SAR), among others.
Supporting the Evolving Landscape of European Defense
The geopolitical landscape in Europe has undergone significant shifts in recent years, with increased emphasis placed on collective defense, strategic deterrence, and the modernization of allied armed forces. UAS have emerged as a critical enabler in this context, providing a cost-effective and scalable solution for persistent surveillance, rapid response, and operational flexibility.
AeroVironment’s UAS platforms—renowned for their reliability, endurance, and proven performance in combat zones—are particularly well suited to support these evolving requirements. By establishing a regional base of operations and training in Denmark, AV is positioned to respond quickly to partner nation needs, provide localized support, and shorten deployment timelines for new capabilities.
Additionally, this partnership aligns with broader EU and NATO initiatives aimed at fostering sovereign defense technologies, supporting transatlantic industrial collaboration, and enhancing the defense readiness of member states. As the European Union continues to increase its defense funding and capabilities development programs, collaborations like the AV-UAS Denmark alliance are likely to play a foundational role in achieving long-term strategic objectives.
A Commitment to Scalable, Combat-Proven Solutions
AeroVironment’s portfolio includes a wide range of UAS systems designed for tactical ISR, force protection, and precision strike missions. Its family of uncrewed systems includes the Puma™, Raven®, and Wasp®—small UAS used extensively by U.S. and allied forces—as well as the medium-altitude JUMP 20, which offers long-endurance ISR capabilities with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) functionality.
Each of these systems is designed to deliver real-time intelligence to the edge of the battlefield while remaining man-portable, easily deployable, and operationally reliable in austere conditions. The addition of robust training and regional support facilities through the UAS Denmark partnership ensures these systems can be effectively integrated into European defense networks with minimal logistical friction.
“With our scalable, mission-adaptable platforms, we’re not just delivering equipment—we’re delivering capability,” said Hastings. “Our aim is to ensure that allied forces have access to the tools and training they need to succeed in the most complex operational environments.”
A Forward-Looking Partnership
The MOU between AeroVironment and UAS Denmark is not just a bilateral business arrangement—it represents a shared commitment to enhancing European defense readiness, accelerating innovation, and building lasting alliances through technology.
As the partnership progresses, both organizations expect to expand the scope of collaboration to include public and private stakeholders from across Europe’s aerospace and defense community. These may include additional industry partners, defense ministries, research institutions, and technology accelerators, all working together to shape the future of uncrewed systems in the region.
“This is about building long-term capability and resilience,” concluded Hastings. “By investing in regional partnerships like this, AeroVironment is laying the groundwork for a more secure, connected, and technologically advanced European defense landscape.”
