Steyr Motors and Avilus Partner on Ground Power System for Grille 9X Military Drone

Austria's Steyr Motors AG and German unmanned aircraft developer Avilus have announced a cooperation agreement to provide ground-based power generation for the Grille 9X, an electric drone designed for battlefield medical evacuation and military logistics.

The partnership, announced on October 16, integrates Steyr Motors' newly developed M12 Power Unit (M12PU) into the Grille system's ground support infrastructure. Rather than powering the aircraft directly, the generators charge replacement battery packs while the drone is airborne, allowing batteries to be exchanged shortly after landing and reducing the time required between missions.

The Grille 9X is an autonomous electric aircraft developed by Avilus, headquartered in Ismaning near Munich. According to the companies, it can carry payloads of up to 175 kilograms, has a range of 51 kilometers and operates at a cruising speed of 86 km/h. Its intended missions include transporting wounded personnel, delivering medical supplies and supporting military logistics in areas where conventional evacuation vehicles may face operational risks.

The aircraft features redundant propulsion systems, interference-resistant navigation and an integrated rescue system. Avilus states that two personnel can prepare the system for operation in less than 15 minutes, while its interchangeable battery packs can be replaced in approximately one minute.

Ground Power System Tested During Bundeswehr Exercises

Steyr Motors' M12PU provides the charging capacity required to prepare batteries for subsequent flights while the aircraft is conducting missions. The modular power generation system can be integrated into a standard 20-foot ISO container and expanded according to operational requirements.

According to Steyr Motors, the ground-based charging arrangement consumes approximately 15 liters of diesel per flight. The company says its generators have already been used during flight testing and German Bundeswehr exercises, including the ExpS Land demonstration, where the Grille system was presented to German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.

The cooperation expands Steyr Motors' military power generation activities beyond its established engine applications in specialized vehicles, naval platforms and auxiliary power units. The Austrian manufacturer also identifies potential applications for the M12PU in other unmanned and counter-unmanned aircraft systems.

Avilus develops several unmanned platforms, including the Grille medical evacuation multicopter, the Wespe unmanned helicopter and the Bussard fixed-wing aircraft for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Neither company disclosed the financial value of the cooperation, the number of generators involved or any related Bundeswehr procurement commitment.

Source: Steyr Motors AG, corporate announcement, October 16, 2026.