June 4, 2026
Ismaning, June 2026. Avilus has achieved a decisive milestone in the company’s history: the Bussard aircraft was successfully operated remotely from a distance of around 800 kilometres controlled from a ground control station in Ismaning near Munich, while the aircraft was flying in airspace near the North Sea. This demonstration of mission-relevant long-range control demonstrates Avilus’ ambition not merely to promise European defence capability, but to deliver it.
Powerful dual-use system from Germany
The Bussard is an unmanned aircraft developed and produced in Germany. With a range of 2,500 km and a payload capacity of 150 kg, it is designed for strategically relevant dual-use missions, both, in the civilian and military sectors. Its main areas of application include reconnaissance, close air support and strike effects, as well as the monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure on land and at sea, wherever reliable situational awareness and robust decision-making are required within the shortest possible time.
Flight-hour costs reduced to a fraction compared to conventional systems
The system, with a maximum take-off weight of 800 kg and a wingspan of eight metres, is based on a German sport aircraft that has proven itself over many years. By using this industrially manufactured platform, Avilus reduces flight-hour costs to a fraction of those of comparable systems, without compromising performance or reliability. Qualification in the EASA “Specific Category” also enables unmanned operation already in peace time. Ongoing series production in Germany ensures short-term availability and scalability: “German Engineering” for European sovereignty.
RasCore – The technological heart of Avilus
Footage released in parallel shows the Bussard in its “Optionally Piloted Vehicle” (OPV) configuration: a pilot was on board, while the actual flight control was carried out entirely by the operators at the ground control segment near Munich. This is made possible by the proprietary flight control and avionics system “RasCore”, developed by Avilus and already in use on the Grille and Wespe platforms. RasCore forms the technological foundation of Avilus’ entire unmanned portfolio and integrates all system-critical components: operations and mission management, flight control, sensor and navigation systems, transponders, as well as secure communication between the aircraft and the ground control station. Interoperability was considered from the very beginning of development: RasCore is connected via interfaces to the battle management system of the German Armed Forces and NATO, respectively.
The future begins today
While comparable programmes often remain in the concept or prototype stage, Avilus is already demonstrating these capabilities today in mission-relevant environments. The release was preceded by months of test and trial flights. The transition to a fully unmanned version of the Bussard is currently in preparation. “This will represent our next milestone on the path toward an unmanned aircraft that combines cost efficiency, long-range capability and European sovereignty,” said Niclas Bähr, CEO of Avilus.
About Avilus
Avilus develops and produces unmanned aircraft for critical air support. With more than 150 employees today at its sites in Ismaning and Bredstedt, Avilus is one of the largest spin-offs of the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in the defence and dual-use sector. Consistently self-financed through German capital to date, the company combines German engineering standards with the goal of strengthening Europe’s strategic independence in the air.
Link to media and PDF: here
