Auterion, a leader in autonomous systems, announced the completion of the Artemis program — a project that produced a new strike drone, the ALM-20, capable of engaging targets at ranges up to 1,600 km. Developed in cooperation with Ukrainian engineers and with support from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) of the U.S. Department of Defense, the platform demonstrates what can be called the next step in the evolution of unmanned systems: range, autonomy, and resistance to GNSS jamming.
The Artemis ALM-20 combines AI-driven technologies with advanced aerodynamics. Its key feature is navigation that does not rely on GPS. An onboard Skynode N compute module and Auterion Visual Navigation enable the drone to analyze visual data and plot routes using terrestrial landmarks. That makes it a particularly dangerous opponent for militaries that heavily use electronic warfare systems. Even if navigation signals are completely suppressed, the drone can orient itself and strike targets accurately.
Testing of the Artemis ALM-20 took place in Ukraine. According to official reports, the test program included launches from ground-based platforms, long-range flights, GPS-denied missions, and live target engagements. All stages were declared successful. After testing, Auterion presented the concept to coalition partners, stressing that the technology is already ready for production and integration into modern armed forces.
In design the ALM-20 resembles the Iranian Shahed, but the similarity is only superficial. While the Shahed is a low-cost expendable device, Artemis is an intelligent platform with a modular architecture that can be adapted for different tasks. Analysts say that combining a proven airframe with new “brains” is what makes the system especially effective.
It has been officially confirmed that a Ukrainian manufacturing partner is participating in the project; their name is being withheld for security reasons. Production of the drone is planned to be set up simultaneously in three countries: the U.S., Ukraine, and Germany. That arrangement creates a resilient logistics chain and reduces dependence on single suppliers, which is particularly important for prolonged conflicts and mass serial production.
Artemis can carry up to 40 kg of warload — sufficient for striking infrastructure and command targets. Auterion engineers point out that the design can accommodate different engine types: electric, hybrid, and a liquid-fuel variant. That allows selection of the optimal configuration depending on the mission, required range, and acoustic signature.
The development of the ALM-20 is part of a broader DIU program to accelerate the integration of advanced technologies onto the battlefield. Auterion has already supplied Ukraine with 33,000 AI kits for drones that improve targeting accuracy and autonomy of existing models. Combined with the ALM-20, these technologies form a new approach to air operations — decentralized, adaptive, and intelligent.
The emergence of platforms like Artemis marks an inflection point for military doctrine. Drones are no longer confined to short missions or attacks at the front line — they can now operate hundreds of kilometers deep into enemy territory. This enables precision strikes against command centers, depots, power infrastructure, and logistics routes without the need for expensive long-range missiles.
Experts note that the Artemis ALM-20 could become a template for a new generation of autonomous systems. Its visual navigation and artificial intelligence reduce dependence on human operators, shorten reaction times, and increase accuracy in dynamic combat conditions. For allied nations, this is an opportunity to bolster defense capabilities at lower cost; for defense firms, it signals that the market for autonomous strike systems is entering a phase of exponential growth.
Alongside the technological excitement, questions are growing. How reliable is the target-recognition system in complex environments? What are the legal frameworks governing the use of autonomous weapons? Can an AI make lethal targeting decisions without human involvement? These debates are already underway among military experts and legal scholars. One thing is clear: the arrival of the Artemis ALM-20 changes the landscape — not only the battlefield, but the political one as well.
Artemis symbolizes a shift to a new era where range, autonomy, and intelligence matter more than sheer mass or speed. The drone doesn’t just fly — it thinks, analyzes, and corrects its course. It can operate where traditional means lose connectivity, and that is precisely what makes it a key element in future defense architectures.
