AeroVironment unveils Jump-20X drone at IDEX 2025, eyeing expanded cooperation
The maker of the Switchblade family of drones is pushing into the maritime domain with the new version of its Jump-20 system.
An AeroVironment Jump-20X unmanned aerial system on display at IDEX 2025 on Feb. 17, 2025. (Agnes Helou / Breaking Defense)
IDEX 2025 — American defense firm AeroVironment unveiled a new version of a current unmanned aerial vehicle on the first day of the International Defense Exposition (IDEX) in Abu Dhabi, part of a larger push to reel in some customers — as well as potential partners — in the Middle East.
“We’re very interested in collaborations in the area [Middle East and Gulf] and we’re looking at partnerships. We’re looking at production possibilities, and research development possibilities,” the company’s vice president of international business, Charles Dean told Breaking Defense.
Dean spoke on the show floor as his company showcased the Jump 20-X, the new maritime version of its current Group 3-sized Jump 20.
“What’s unique about our launch here is that this is our new maritime version. We can now fly off of naval ships that have a heavy fuel requirement,” Dean said. (The X, the company’s website says, signifies “cross-domain dominance.”)
He specified that the new UAV, which is in the final development stages, is equipped with a heavy fuel engine, capable of burning multiple fuel types, including aviation-type fuels. The company said the UAV can fly for 13 hours with 30 pound (13.6 kg) payload and is equipped with Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) capabilities.
It is “going through its final testing, up for sale in the next few months, so customers can place advanced orders right now,” Dean said.
AeroVironment is the maker of the Switchblade family of loitering munitions, which the Pentagon has sent by the hundreds to Ukraine and which were among those chosen for the first tranche of Replicator platforms.
RELATED: Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions
The company also took the IDEX day one opportunity to showcase its new smaller, autonomous drone, the P550, an all-electric UAV designed for “intelligence gathering, precision targeting, and force protection in dynamic and contested environments,” according to a company release. Dean said the P550 is highly modular, meaning a “soldier or sailor can put on [multiple payloads] without any tools.”
“So in a matter of a minute, you can take the whole front end off of P550 that might be a reconnaissance payload and put on a whole other, perhaps electronic warfare payload that then take off and fly that mission set,” he said.
As for partnerships in the Middle East, there are a few obstacles to contend with. For one, major potential partners like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are pushing aggressively to develop local production of their defense systems, which can include requiring the transfer of production and development. That can run up against US defense trade restrictions.
If that’s the case, Dean said, “it’s a little bit more difficult, but it’s all doable.” He said the company already has such permission for one “major” Middle East nation, but declined to provide further details.
