Drones for military purposes – and beyond

The path from a good product to a marketable offering can be arduous, as many companies in the UxS industry are currently experiencing firsthand. It’s no wonder, then, that cooperation and networking are high on the agenda for many firms right now. The motto: communicate with each other to learn from one another – and then jointly develop a market. A platform that aims to provide this framework is the International Drone Show in Odense, Denmark.

Anyone who has been coming to the Hans-Christian-Andersen Airport regularly at the beginning of June for several years will surely remember the beginnings of the International Drone Show (IDS). What started in the somewhat cramped spaces of the small terminal has long since outgrown its infancy. While the regional airport’s regular parking spaces initially sufficed, today the surrounding fields and paths are also filled with cars. What was once more of a hidden gem and attracted little attention outside the Northern European drone community now draws visitors literally from all over the world. While the event certainly doesn’t match the scale or number of participants of major events like the European flagship trade show XPONENTIAL Europe, it possesses a unique charm thanks to Denmark’s special „Hygge“ atmosphere and a nearly warm-hearted ambiance, which it maintains despite its new dimensions.

Entirely focused on military applications

This recent near-exponential growth has been driven in particular by the enormous attention that uncrewed systems have received in national and allied defense, as well as among various security authorities. Since last year, the IDS has unmistakably been focused on military application scenarios – complete with a small but vocal and always peaceful protest demonstration in front of the airport premises.

Not only at the exhibition stands but also within the conference program, the military use of unmanned systems took up considerable space

Just as the number of military uniforms in the aisles between the exhibition stands has grown, so too has the number of companies from Ukraine and other parts of Eastern Europe showcasing their products in Odense over the years. The range includes almost „classic“ reconnaissance systems in VTOL configurations, multirotors for material transport or signal amplification, and small „one-way FPV drones“. New this year was the inclusion of loitering munitions and interceptor drones as a standard part of the offering. To summarize: the exhibiting companies showcased everything of interest to military user groups, ranging from reconnaissance and electronic warfare to attack options and active drone defense. However, there was a clear focus on uncrewed aerial systems, with land and maritime drones in the minority.

The entire value chain in focus

Another trend observed in Odense, as well as at other trade fairs and events, is that the entire value chain is increasingly being considered alongside unmanned systems. This involves optimizing pricing and operational efficiency as well as positioning for cost-effective mass production. Therefore, the accessory products and components, as well as service and consulting offerings presented at IDS26, garnered just as much interest as the drones and payloads. The range included motors and connectors, materials and manufacturing services, and service offerings for component design or international expansion. Particularly noteworthy: Several battery providers showcased the performance enhancements achievable with custom-configured cells and packs.

The exchange of information and practical experiences is a crucial reason for participation in the International Drone Show, just as it is at most UxS events

One of the key advantages of the event location in Odense is, of course, the venue. At Hans-Christian-Andersen Airport – home to the UAS Test Center Denmark – the conditions for live demonstrations are ideal. However, so far, the IDS has primarily featured traditional product demonstrations. This means flying and explaining systems. Given the current state of the UAS industry, one can reasonably assume that the drones presented there fly steadily and that the payloads can meet higher demands. It would be exciting if the organizers could take another developmental step next year and address topics such as BVLOS, multi-drone, or multi-domain operations. It is certainly worthwhile to discuss these topics and learn from one another.

DISCLOSURE

The Drones Magazine is a Media Partner of the International Drone Show.