Quantum Systems Reveals Armed Reliant Drone With 82mm Mortars and 40mm Grenades

German defense technology company Quantum Systems has revealed an armed configuration of its Reliant long-range unmanned aerial system, featuring a combination of 82mm mortar rounds and 40mm grenades mounted beneath the aircraft's wings.

Dave Sharpin, CEO of Quantum Systems Inc., the manufacturer's U.S. subsidiary, shared images of the configuration on October 28, 2026, acknowledging the involvement of partners from Orbital in the project.

The photographs show the fixed-wing aircraft equipped with external weapon mounts capable of carrying different types of munitions simultaneously. The development introduces a potential strike capability to a platform originally designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition.

From Long-Range Reconnaissance to Armed Operations

The Reliant combines fixed-wing flight with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), allowing deployment without conventional runways. Its hybrid-electric propulsion system is designed for long-duration missions in environments where launch infrastructure is limited.

The newly displayed configuration combines 82mm mortar rounds with smaller 40mm grenades, potentially allowing operators to select different munitions according to mission requirements.

The photographs establish that the aircraft can be fitted with the mixed weapons load, but Quantum Systems has not publicly disclosed the results of live-fire testing, weapon-release trials or operational deployment of this configuration.

The company has also explored using Reliant as a carrier for smaller unmanned aircraft, including the Archer FPV attack drone developed by U.S. manufacturer Neros.

Reliant Offers More Than 10 Hours of Endurance

Quantum Systems introduced significant upgrades to Reliant in July 2026, expanding its payload capacity and integrating the aircraft with its MOSAIC UXS mission software.

According to the manufacturer's published specifications, the upgraded platform offers:

• More than 10 hours of flight endurance
• Up to 9 kg of payload capacity
• A 4.3-meter wingspan
• A data-link range of approximately 160 km
• Vertical takeoff and landing from a 10 × 10-meter area
• Compatibility with electro-optical, signals intelligence and electronic warfare payloads

These figures describe the standard Reliant platform. The manufacturer has not confirmed the endurance, available payload capacity or flight performance of the newly displayed armed configuration.

Expanding Quantum Systems' Defense Portfolio

The armed Reliant represents another step in Quantum Systems' expansion beyond conventional reconnaissance drones.

The manufacturer has been developing an ecosystem of autonomous platforms for surveillance, electronic warfare, interception and strike missions, supported by its MOSAIC UXS software architecture.

Earlier this month, Quantum Systems demonstrated coordinated multi-domain drone operations with XTEND, Volkswagen and Daimler Truck during its Forward Edge 26 exercise in Germany.

The company is also working with XTEND on autonomous mission software for NATO applications, connecting reconnaissance, swarming and strike capabilities through interoperable systems.

Quantum Systems has additionally expanded its manufacturing presence in Ukraine, where its Vector reconnaissance drones have gained extensive operational experience.

For European defense procurement authorities, the Reliant development illustrates the growing interest in modular unmanned aircraft capable of combining intelligence collection with other mission functions.

However, the latest presentation remains a demonstration of an armed configuration rather than confirmation of a fielded weapon system. Quantum Systems has not disclosed a customer, procurement contract, production schedule or operational deployment date for the armed Reliant.

Sources:  Quantum Systems, July 27, 2026.