Drone manufacturer UAV Destinus buys Daedalean for $225 million, aiming to enhance Artificial Intelligence capacities
Destinus Acquires Daedalean for CHF 180 Million to Boost AI Capabilities in Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems
In a move aimed at strengthening its position in the European market for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Destinus Group has signed a binding agreement to acquire Zurich-based Daedalean for CHF 180 million (approximately $225 million). The acquisition is a combined cash-and-stock transaction.
Daedalean, a pioneer in safety-critical, certifiable AI avionics software, brings a team of over 150 specialists, including 13 PhDs with deep expertise in AI, machine learning, and avionics. Their AI solutions are designed to operate reliably in complex and GPS-denied environments.
The acquisition will accelerate Destinus' ability to deliver intelligent UAV systems. Daedalean's AI tools enhance the effectiveness of human operators managing flight systems and drone swarms. They support decision-making with sophisticated AI-driven autonomy and swarm intelligence, increase mission adaptability, operational flexibility, and resilience, provide environmental awareness and navigation aids, and deliver certifiable AI software for safe integration into both civilian and defense aviation domains.
Destinis, one of Europe's largest manufacturers of UAVs, has over 500 employees. The integration of Daedalean's solutions will advance autonomous flight capabilities, enabling operators to handle not only single UAVs but also complex drone swarms more effectively and safely.
Bas Gouverneur, the CEO of Daedalean, stated that joining Destinis is a logical next step after their successful collaboration. He believes that the combination of Destinis' aerospace engineering with Daedalean's software and AI expertise will accelerate innovation.
The deal is expected to close by the end of 2025. The transaction strengthens Destinis' strategy to broaden artificial intelligence solutions for unmanned flight systems in civil and defence markets. The successful previous collaboration between the two companies made the integration of artificial intelligence into Destinis products a natural next step.
The collaboration aims to deliver AI-driven autonomy, swarm intelligence, and sophisticated decision-making tools to market faster. With this acquisition, Destinis is poised to make flight safer, more resilient, and operationally flexible, reducing time-to-market and enhancing global competitiveness.
[1] Daedalean's AI solutions for UAV systems [2] Destinis Group [3] Daedalean's AI avionics software [4] Daedalean's deep learning-based situational awareness [5] Daedalean's environmental awareness and navigation aids
- The integration of Daedalean's AI solutions will significantly boost Destinus' ability to deliver intelligent UAV systems.
- Daedalean, with their AI avionics software, brings a team of experts in AI, machine learning, and avionics to Destinus Group.
