U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Selects Four Firms for Project Artemis Long-Range Unmanned Drone Prototypes

The U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has awarded contracts to four companies to develop and test long-range, one-way unmanned platforms under Project Artemis. This initiative, conducted in partnership with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S), is part of efforts to accelerate the deployment of advanced drone capabilities under the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Budget.

Project Artemis is focused on developing loitering munitions that can operate in highly contested environments where electronic warfare (EW) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) disruptions are prevalent. The program aligns with congressional directives to create cost-effective and scalable unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that can be deployed in large numbers, offering a strategic advantage in modern combat scenarios.

Trent Emeneker, DIU's program manager, emphasized the need for rapid innovation by collaborating with non-traditional defense firms. The goal is to field cutting-edge drone capabilities at a much faster pace than conventional defense acquisition programs allow.

The four companies selected for Project Artemis include:

• Swan, a U.S. software company working with a Ukrainian UAS manufacturer
• Dragoon, a U.S.-based defense firm
• AeroVironment, a well-established U.S. drone manufacturer
• Auterion, a U.S. software company partnering with another Ukrainian UAS producer

These firms will work on designing cost-effective and rapidly deployable drone platforms. The selection process was completed in just four months, during which DIU and A&S reviewed 165 proposals, conducted flight demonstrations, and finalized contract negotiations. This streamlined approach reflects the urgency of equipping military forces with adaptable, real-world combat solutions.

By May 2025, the program is expected to complete the prototyping phase and move towards full operational demonstrations. The Artemis drones will be ground-launched, long-range, and designed for one-way missions, capable of flying 50-300+ km while navigating at low altitudes. Crucially, they will function effectively in environments where satellite navigation and communication systems are jammed or denied.

Project Artemis represents a major shift in how the U.S. military acquires advanced drone capabilities. By leveraging commercial innovation and non-traditional defense partners, the initiative aims to bypass lengthy procurement cycles, ensuring that new technologies reach the battlefield faster than ever before.