Terminal Autonomy

About

Terminal Autonomy is a Ukrainian defense technology company specializing in the development of long-range, autonomous precision strike drones. Founded in mid-2022 by veterans from the British and Australian armed forces, along with a Ukrainian engineer, the company was initially known as One Way Aerospace. Terminal Autonomy aims to provide scalable, low-cost unmanned aerial systems that can operate autonomously, even in contested environments. The company’s flagship product is the AQ-400 Scythe, a jet-powered loitering munition designed for extended-range missions requiring precision targeting and high operational reliability. The AQ-400 Scythe is characterized by swift assembly, mass production capabilities, and cost-effectiveness, with a fuselage made from milled plywood, allowing production without highly skilled labor. Terminal Autonomy operates from Kyiv, Ukraine, with a production facility capable of scaling up to 500 units per month, with plans to reach 1,000 units monthly. The company’s mission is to provide democracies with tools to defend themselves through innovative, autonomous systems effective in modern combat scenarios.

Details

The systems include:

• AQ-400 Scythe — jet-powered loitering munition designed for long-range precision strikes; features rapid assembly, mass production, and cost-effective materials allowing scalable manufacturing in Ukraine.
• AQ-100 Bayonet — smaller, tactical autonomous drone for short- to medium-range strike and reconnaissance missions; optimized for frontline deployment.
• AQV-120 Scalpel — versatile unmanned system designed for precision attacks and surveillance; modular payload options and real-time telemetry integration.
• Ground control stations (GCS) — portable units for drone operation, mission planning, telemetry monitoring, and live video feeds.
• Support and power equipment — field-replaceable batteries, chargers, and transport cases designed for rapid deployment and turnaround in combat conditions.
• Mission software tools — planning, telemetry, and targeting software integrated with GCS for efficient mission execution.