FEINDEF 2025: Arquimea launches Q-SLAM-100 to provide AI-guided loitering munitions for medium-range strikes.

At the 2025 edition of the International Defence and Security Exhibition (FEINDEF), held in Madrid from May 12 to 14, the Spanish company Arquimea presented its newest developments in the field of loitering munitions and unmanned naval platforms. The company introduced the Q-SLAM-100, a fixed-wing loitering munition designed for medium-range missions, and Kronos, a multifunctional unmanned surface vehicle (USV) intended for tactical naval operations. In addition to these two systems, Arquimea showcased its modular multi-launcher configurations for loitering munitions, its short-range Q-SLAM-40 system, the man-portable Skyblock anti-drone jammer, and several examples of its manufacturing capabilities, artificial intelligence integration, and space sector activities.
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The Q-SLAM-100 system is Arquimea’s latest loitering munition, designed for medium-range operations with a flight endurance exceeding 120 minutes and a maximum range of 60 kilometers. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The company stated that it can manufacture 1,000 Q-SLAM-40 and 1,000 Q-SLAM-100 units per month at its current industrial facilities. The Spanish Marine Corps has expressed interest in the Q-SLAM-40 and associated training systems. The Q-SLAM-100 system is Arquimea’s latest loitering munition, designed for medium-range operations with a flight endurance exceeding 120 minutes and a maximum range of 60 kilometers. It has a take-off weight of 12 kg, including a 4 kg shaped-charge warhead, and is launched from a rectangular container that also serves as its canister launcher. The folding wing design includes forward-folding rear wings, rear-folding front wings, and a forward-folding vertical fin, while a two-blade propeller is mounted at the rear of the fuselage. At the front, the system is equipped with a four-window gimbal that includes two visible-spectrum cameras, one uncooled thermal imager, and a laser rangefinder. The warhead section is integrated into the front fuselage, and Arquimea confirmed that different warhead types can be integrated as long as they meet the system’s physical and weight constraints. The propulsion system is electric, but the energy source has not been disclosed; Arquimea only indicated that it is not battery-powered.

The munition’s optronic sensors and artificial intelligence platform, DeepArq AI, enable collaborative flight, autonomous decision-making, target recognition, threat identification, unknown situation detection, and real-time risk evaluation. Operators retain full control of the warhead, which can be armed, disarmed, or detonated manually or upon impact. The munition can be used for aerial reconnaissance or to intercept drones, with operators triggering detonation near targets. If no detonation is required, the system can be returned for recovery after confirming that the warhead has been safely disarmed. The Q-SLAM-100 is not designed for immediate reuse; the airframe is damaged upon landing and must be returned to a logistics facility for repair before reuse. The system’s cruise speed is 100 km/h, with a top speed exceeding 160 km/h in the attack phase, and it can operate in wind speeds of up to 44 km/h. The munition includes an anti-jam system and an autopilot developed by Arquimea. In case of GNSS spoofing, it attempts to return to the launch area. If contact with the control station is lost, it climbs to re-establish connection; if unsuccessful, it crashes after the power source is depleted. Arquimea stated that the warhead’s arming mechanism cannot be influenced by any external interference, even if the munition is compromised.

The Kronos USV was also publicly presented for the first time. This unmanned surface vehicle is designed for remote operation in various tactical naval missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue, protection of naval units, and combat missions. The system has an operational range exceeding 500 kilometers and can carry payloads above 200 kg. Arquimea described the platform as multifunctional and suitable for strategic naval use. Arquimea’s stand also included its modular multi-launcher systems for loitering munitions, which allow simultaneous missions and swarm operations. A version with five Q-SLAM-40 launch tubes was exhibited on the Spectre unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) from the company Duma, capable of transporting up to 18 munitions. A separate version was shown at the Einsa stand, integrated into the Falcata light tactical vehicle, equipped with three launch tubes and space for 16 platforms. These systems are designed to support multiple deployment configurations across different platforms.

The Q-SLAM-100’s optronic sensors and artificial intelligence platform, DeepArq AI, enable collaborative flight, autonomous decision-making, target recognition, threat identification, unknown situation detection, and real-time risk evaluation. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The Q-SLAM-40, which has been under development since 2018, was also displayed. It evolved from the Shepherd-MIL mini UAV, originally designed for reconnaissance and artillery fire control, and is also part of the Expal Eimos Cardom 81 mm mortar carrier system. The Q-SLAM-40 is designed to provide rapid strike capability for small units without requiring close air support. It consists of a UAV, a tube launcher, and a ground control station with an antenna and rugged tablet, transported in two backpacks carried by a two-person team. The aerial platform includes two pairs of folding wings, a rear-mounted electric motor with a two-blade propeller, and a total weight of 28 kg. The system can be launched pneumatically within five minutes and reaches a cruise speed of 90 km/h and a top speed of 125 km/h during the final attack. Its operational range is 10 km, with a maximum flight time of 12 minutes and a flight ceiling of approximately 2,000 meters. During the terminal phase, it operates between 20 and 200 meters in altitude.

The Q-SLAM-40’s guidance system uses inertial navigation and a Sony IMX290LQR-C HD camera that transmits real-time imagery to the ground control station. The system includes a 2.4 GHz encrypted bidirectional data link and can operate in manual mode for GPS-denied environments. An optional infrared module is available. The UAV carries a 40 mm explosive warhead with an approximate lethal radius of 10 meters and is designed to minimize collateral damage. The warhead will not activate unless the UAV is more than 200 meters from the control station. The mission can be aborted at any time, and target coordinates can be changed mid-flight. The Q-SLAM-40 has five automatic flight modes—Roulette, Circuit, To Destination, Marauder, and Attack—and two final approach profiles: standard attack and tactical attack. It can be launched from land or naval platforms due to its compact size and low weight. Although not currently in service, it is undergoing trials with the Spanish Army.

Arquimea is also working on the development of the Q-SLAM-200, a future loitering munition with over three hours of endurance, a 6 kg warhead, and a cruise speed of 120 km/h, increasing to over 180 km/h in attack mode. This system will be launched by catapult instead of from a canister, eliminating the need for folding wings. Simulators are being developed for all versions of Arquimea’s loitering munitions, with unarmed versions of the Q-SLAM-40 already used to train personnel in associated units. In addition to defense-related developments, Arquimea displayed its space capabilities at FEINDEF 2025. The company operates a 1,400-square-meter facility with clean rooms and employs over 200 professionals, including engineers, scientists, and technicians. Arquimea has supported over 160 space missions across major space programs and develops components such as structures, thermal systems, optical systems, actuators, deployable mechanisms, avionics, and space-qualified microchips.