Auterion has finalized the development of the Artemis long-range strike drone under a US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) initiative. The system’s design is reminiscent of Iranian Shahed drones used by Russia in Ukraine, yet incorporates advanced Western technologies.
Artemis offers an operational range of 1,000 miles (1,609 kilometers) and carries a 40-kilogram (88-pound) warhead. It integrates the Skynode N mission computer, a Visual Navigation System for GPS-denied environments, and a terminal guidance suite for high-precision targeting.
Built on an open architecture, the platform enables seamless integration with existing defense systems and supports future capability upgrades. The drone was developed and tested in Ukraine, in partnership with a local hardware manufacturer whose name remains undisclosed for security reasons.
Auterion’s earlier AI-enabled strike kit deliveries to Kyiv informed Artemis’s evolution. The drone underwent operational flight evaluations by US government teams, testing ground launches, long-range navigation in GPS-active and GPS-denied conditions, and terminal engagement accuracy. Data from these trials helped refine the system for US and allied requirements, with production now being established in the US, Ukraine, and Germany.
