Auterion Completes Artemis Program, Delivering Next-Generation Long-Range Deep Strike Drone

Credit:Auterion

Auterion, a global leader in defense drone software and AI-enabled autonomous systems, has announced the successful completion of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Artemis program—a groundbreaking initiative that has produced a combat-proven, long-range deep strike drone with advanced navigation and targeting capabilities.

The Artemis system, developed and tested in collaboration with Ukrainian partners, represents a significant leap in autonomous strike technology. Proven in combat conditions in Ukraine, the drone offers a range of up to 1,000 miles and is capable of carrying a 40-kilogram warhead, giving allied forces a new level of precision and reach in long-range operations.

A New Class of Long-Range Strike Capability

Designed to meet the growing demand for affordable, mass-producible strike systems, Artemis draws inspiration from the Shahed-class drones that have reshaped modern warfare. However, Artemis integrates advanced autonomy and precision-guidance technologies that set it apart from existing systems.

At its core, Artemis is powered by Auterion’s Skynode N mission computer and Auterion Visual Navigation system, enabling the drone to navigate and engage targets even when GPS or satellite-based navigation is denied. The onboard terminal guidance system ensures precise target acquisition and accuracy in the final stage of flight, minimizing the risk of collateral damage and maximizing mission success.

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Auterion’s software-driven approach makes Artemis more than just a long-range munition—it is a smart, adaptable platform capable of operating across a wide range of mission profiles. With its modular design, the system can be tailored for various payloads, mission types, and operating environments.

Proven in Combat, Validated by Government Evaluators

The Artemis program was developed in close partnership with a Ukrainian hardware manufacturer, whose identity remains undisclosed for operational security reasons. Together, Auterion and its partners conducted extensive operational flight testing in Ukraine, where the system underwent rigorous evaluation under real-world combat conditions.

These tests covered ground-based launches, GPS and GPS-denied navigation, long-range flight performance, and terminal engagement accuracy. Government evaluators signed off on the program following these successful trials, confirming Artemis’s readiness for deployment.

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With the Artemis program now complete, Auterion is making the system available to the U.S. Department of Defense and allied nations, supported by a growing production network in the United States, Ukraine, and Germany. The company’s strategy ensures both operational resilience and scalable production capacity to meet rising demand.

Building the Future of Autonomous Deterrence

“Software-driven autonomy is changing the nature of deterrence,” said Lorenz Meier, CEO of Auterion. “Our Artemis entrant is designed for mass production and rapid deployment, enabling partner nations to field resilient autonomous strike capabilities at scale. We’re ready to help build the long-range deterrence force needed to address emerging security challenges—particularly across the Indo-Pacific region.”

Artemis is part of Auterion’s broader family of short- to long-range one-way attack drones, being developed under U.S. defense initiatives. Each system leverages Auterion’s open architecture and battle-tested software framework, ensuring interoperability across platforms and allowing rapid upgrades as technology and mission needs evolve. The same software foundation has already proven itself in Auterion’s AI-enabled strike kits deployed in Ukraine.

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Scaling Up for Allied Production

With the Artemis project officially completed, Auterion is now entering the scale-up and co-production phase in partnership with the Department of Defense and allied nations. The company aims to mass-produce the system domestically in the U.S., while maintaining a common software layer that allows seamless interoperability between allied forces.

“This isn’t a black box—it's a scalable platform that partners can build on and evolve,” Meier added. “Our goal is to deliver a unified, adaptable system that can continuously improve through collaboration, data, and software updates.”

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As Auterion moves toward mass production, the Artemis program stands as a model of international cooperation, rapid innovation, and combat-proven capability, demonstrating how open software architecture and AI-driven autonomy are reshaping the future of long-range warfare.