AeroVironment (AV) has teamed up with Arkeus to integrate the Hyperspectral Optical Radar (HSOR) payload onto the JUMP 20 unmanned aerial system (UAS). The upgrade aims to strengthen surveillance and reconnaissance in low-visibility and contested environments, while extending range and improving situational awareness.
HSOR, powered by an AI-driven data engine, can detect, classify, and track hundreds of objects simultaneously. Unlike conventional sensors, it operates seamlessly across land, sea, and coastal areas without hardware changes, offering more than eight times the range of standard optical and infrared systems. Using hyperspectral imaging, HSOR also provides environmental insights such as water depth and vegetation density.
These capabilities make it suitable for wide-area monitoring, border security, maritime patrols, counter-narcotics, and search and rescue missions.
The JUMP 20 itself is a fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone with over 13 hours of endurance and a line-of-sight range of 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers). For beyond-line-of-sight missions, it can reach over 500 nautical miles (926 kilometers) via satellite or relay control. The payload bay supports up to 30 pounds (14 kilograms), and operators can configure missions using standard autopilot and ground systems. Setup requires less than 30 minutes and no specialized tools.
In April, Italy signed a $46.6-million contract for the JUMP 20 to replace its RQ-7 Shadow fleet. AV has also introduced the JUMP 20-X, a “marinized” version optimized for autonomous maritime operations and cross-domain situational awareness.
