AeroVironment (AV) and Applied Intuition have formed a strategic partnership to integrate AI-enabled collaborative autonomy into the Mayhem 10 multirole unmanned aerial system (UAS), expanding its capabilities for the US military and allied forces.
The integration will equip the platform with Applied Intuition’s Acuity ISR/Strike software, enabling autonomous hunter-killer and swarm operations.
The capability allows a single operator to control multiple Mayhem 10 drones as they detect, track, and engage threats in contested environments.
The effort supports the US Army’s broader Launched Effects program, which seeks to extend the reach of airborne platforms through UAS equipped with advanced nodes, electronic countermeasure suites, and precision-strike payloads.
The companies said they recently completed a demonstration validating the software integration following several months of development.
During the test, a swarm of Mayhem 10 drones coordinated their movements, shared targeting data in real time, and adapted to changing battlefield conditions.
“Modern warfare demands trusted systems that can think, coordinate, and adapt faster than the adversary,” Applied Intuition General Manager Jason Brown stated.
“Acuity ISR/Strike enables intelligent swarms that share targeting data in real time, dynamically adjust to threats, and execute missions that would be impossible for individual platforms.”
The Mayhem 10 UAS
The Mayhem 10 features an open, modular architecture that supports third-party software and payload integration, allowing it to adapt to evolving strike, electronic warfare, communications relay, and scouting mission requirements.
The UAS can carry payloads of up to 10 pounds (5 kilograms), remain airborne for over 50 minutes, and be set up and launched in less than five minutes.
It has a range exceeding 62 miles (100 kilometers) and a top speed of 120 miles (193 kilometers) per hour.
“Mayhem 10 isn’t just a munition. It’s an architecture,” said Brian Young, senior vice president of loitering munitions at AV.
“We built it as an open, modular system from the beginning … treating capability more like an application than a fixed feature set.”
