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Germany to Modernize Combat Support Networks with Avilus' Grille Logistics Drone.
On November 6, 2024, the German company Avilus announced its collaboration with the Bundeswehr to test the Grille drone system. The trials, conducted in a simulated environment, focused on evaluating the system's capabilities to improve operational efficiency and adaptability in military contexts.
Avilus' Grille logistics drone (Picture source: AVILUS)
The demonstration focused on improving communication, interoperability, and process automation, three essential elements for modernizing military operations. The tests highlighted Grille's potential to meet the demands of modern conflicts, particularly in scenarios involving electronic threats and complex terrain conditions.
A logistics mission conducted with KNDS demonstrated the coordination between autonomous aerial and ground transport. The Grille drone transported cargo over several kilometers, including an intermediate reloading operation, while maintaining high performance levels. During the mission, the German Army’s electronic warfare unit EloKa tested the system’s resistance to electronic jamming, confirming its robustness in contested environments.
Mission control was also showcased through the integration of Avilus' ground control segment (GCS) with the BOXER armored vehicle. This configuration allows remote mission supervision directly from the field, offering a mobile and secure platform for managing robotic and autonomous systems. This feature proved particularly valuable in high-risk operations, such as medical evacuation (RASEVAC), where remote coordination enhances both safety and efficiency.
The development of the Grille drone by Avilus spanned several years and was based on collaboration among industry, academia, and the armed forces. The initiative began in 2020 when Ernst Rittinghaus, founder of Avilus, proposed the idea of a "flying stretcher" to doctoral students at the Institute of Flight System Dynamics at the Technical University of Munich. Within weeks, a preliminary technical concept was developed, quickly evolving into the drone evacuation system, named DRONEVAC.
Between 2020 and 2021, the team used advanced simulation tools, such as Simulink, to model and optimize the aircraft's behavior, resolving potential issues before building a physical prototype. In 2021, a functional prototype was tested to validate its performance, including autonomy, payload capacity, and robustness. By 2022, Avilus partnered with the German Army, particularly the Bundeswehr Medical Academy and the Medical Squadron Bischofswiesen, to test the drone in real military exercises. These trials were supplemented by logistics missions and medical evacuation scenarios conducted in collaboration with KNDS to demonstrate the coordination between autonomous aerial and ground transport systems. In 2023, the drone was officially presented as a modular and operational solution, also integrating a ground control segment (GCS) linked to the BOXER armored vehicle, enabling mobile and secure mission management. This gradual development reflects Avilus' commitment to meeting modern operational needs by combining technological innovation, digital simulation, and strategic partnerships.
The Grille drone stands out for its advanced technical capabilities. Designed as a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aerial vehicle, it can carry a maximum payload of 135 kg with a total take-off weight of 695 kg. Powered by a 240 kW electric system, it reaches a cruising speed of 86 km/h, with a range of 51 km and a maximum altitude of 2,100 meters. Its modular cabin allows it to adapt quickly to various missions, including logistics, reconnaissance, or medical evacuation. Additionally, its compact design enables transport in a standard ISO container, enhancing its operational mobility.
In the context of the war in Ukraine, technologies like the Grille drone could provide crucial solutions. Its speed and flexibility would ensure effective resupply in hard-to-reach areas or under constant threat. Its ability to operate in extreme weather conditions and resist electronic jamming makes it well-suited to the demands of modern conflicts, where mobility and autonomy have become essential elements in ensuring the resilience of armed forces.