Italy's Ministry of Defence has assigned the MQ-31A military designation to AeroVironment's JUMP 20 unmanned aircraft system.
Italy's Ministry of Defense has assigned the MQ-31A military designation to AeroVironment's JUMP 20 unmanned aircraft system.
The designation identifies the platform as an officially adopted military system within the Italian armed forces, confirming that it has met the defense ministry's requirements for operational service.
It was issued by Italy's Directorate of Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness and follows a $46.6-million, five-year contract awarded to AeroVironment in April last year to deliver JUMP 20 systems.
The contract also includes engineering, maintenance, technical support, and sustainment services.
Under the program, the aircraft will replace the Italian Army's aging AAI RQ-7 Shadow intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance drone fleet while improving interoperability with NATO forces.
JUMP 20
JUMP 20 is a vertical takeoff and landing fixed-wing unmanned aircraft that does not require a runway, allowing it to operate from confined or austere locations.
The aircraft can remain airborne for more than 13 hours and has an operational range of 185 kilometers (115 miles).
It is designed with an open system architecture that supports more than 70 interchangeable payloads for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, communications, and other battlefield tasks.
The system can also carry modular payloads weighing up to 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms), allowing new sensors or communication systems to be integrated without redesigning the aircraft.
JUMP 20 is also being adopted by several other NATO members, including Denmark, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic.
