New VTOL Drone JUMP 20-X Boasts 115-Mile Maritime Range

AeroVironment has introduced its next-generation JUMP 20-X vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system, designed for maritime operations, the company announced at IDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The U.S. Group 3 VTOL drone integrates advanced autonomous capabilities with extended operational range for complex maritime environments.

The JUMP 20-X delivers a 13-hour flight endurance and an operational range of 115 miles, supported by beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) connectivity. Its modular architecture accommodates a 30-pound payload capacity, enabling diverse mission configurations. The platform’s heavy-fuel engine operates with multiple fuel types, addressing maritime logistics challenges.

“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,” says Shane Hastings, Aerovironment‘s vice president and general manager of Medium Uncrewed Aircraft Systems. “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.”

The system features hands-free operation capabilities, leveraging Intelligence artificielle for precise takeoff and landing on moving ships in rough seas and extreme weather conditions. AeroVironment’s proprietary SPOTR-Edge computer vision technology provides automated object detection and classification, enhancing real-time situational awareness.

Built on an open-architecture framework, the JUMP 20-X maintains STANAG compliance for potential NATO integration. The platform supports multiple mission profiles, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Wide-area Surveillance (WAS), Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), secure communications, video relay, and precision strike capabilities.

The radio-agnostic and payload-agnostic design enables rapid integration with existing military networks and emerging technologies, allowing operators to adapt to evolving mission requirements in real-time across joint, allied, and coalition forces.