EDGE and Anduril Form Strategic Alliance for Autonomous Air Solutions in UAE

Post by : Bianca Suleiman

Abu Dhabi – In a significant development for the Middle East's defence and aviation sectors, EDGE, a premier technology and defence entity, and Anduril, a U.S. defence technology company, have formally initiated a collaboration aimed at streamlining the design, production, and deployment of cutting-edge autonomous systems.

This partnership, named the EDGE–Anduril Production Alliance, is positioned as a local center for contemporary defence and commercial manufacturing. By integrating EDGE’s established regional presence with Anduril’s expertise in software-driven development, the initiative seeks to produce scalable, operational autonomous aerial systems for military and civilian operations.

Innovative Air Vehicle: Omen

The alliance's inaugural project is the Omen, a versatile autonomous air vehicle capable of hovering and cruising. Compact yet powerful, Omen combines extensive range, substantial payload capacity, and flexibility to operate without runways. It can be rapidly assembled and launched by a two-person crew within minutes.

Omen is designed to serve various objectives, including maritime surveillance, logistics support, air defence monitoring, communications relay, disaster management, and humanitarian assistance. Its modular design allows it to be adapted for commercial uses, such as providing aerial connectivity or delivering vital supplies to hard-to-reach areas.

Investments and Local Manufacturing

The UAE's initial order for 50 Omen systems signifies a commitment to local production and supply chain enhancement. The partnership plans to co-invest nearly $200 million from EDGE while leveraging Anduril’s extensive $850 million in mission autonomy technology to bring the aircraft from concept to full-scale production by 2028.

The EDGE-Anduril Production Alliance will manage production and maintenance facilities in the UAE, with production for U.S. clients occurring at Anduril’s facility in Ohio. Additionally, a dedicated 50,000-square-foot R&D center in Abu Dhabi will act as a regional hub for engineering, prototyping, and virtual simulation activities focused on future autonomous initiatives.

Integrating Innovation with Capability

This collaboration embodies a proactive approach to minimize the timeline between conceptualization and operational execution. By incorporating next-gen software, AI-driven autonomy, and local production, the alliance aims to establish systems that are ready for deployment, scalable, and versatile for both defence and commercial applications.

This joint endeavour enhances the UAE's status as a leader in autonomous aerospace technologies, while Anduril benefits from a reliable production and R&D foothold in the Middle East. Collectively, the partnership is setting a new standard for swift innovation and operational readiness within the autonomous systems domain.