The Silent Sentinels of the Battlefield – Autonomous Intelligence from Lithuania

The modern battlefield is a mosaic of complex data, demanding rapid intelligence, resilient communication, and precise action. Unmanned systems are at the forefront of this evolution, but their true potential is unlocked only when they can operate with a high degree of autonomy, especially in environments where traditional navigation and communication links are degraded or denied. This is the critical niche occupied by Granta Autonomy, a Lithuanian engineering company that is rapidly becoming a key player in providing cutting-edge, autonomous unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.

Granta Autonomy is not just building drones; they are integrating advanced autonomy, secure data links, and robust hardware to create battle-tested systems designed to excel in the toughest conditions. With a strong emphasis on innovation and precision, their solutions are enhancing battlefield awareness, reducing risk to personnel, and enabling operations where other systems fail. Their commitment to direct testing in combat zones, often involving former military engineers on their team, ensures their products meet the exacting demands of real-world military applications.

Engineering for Real-World Combat

Founded in 2015 by former military engineers Laurynas Litvinas and Gediminas Guoba, Granta Autonomy is headquartered in Vilnius, Lithuania. Their journey began with a clear understanding of the challenges faced by military operators in the field. Unlike many tech companies that develop products in a vacuum, Granta Autonomy’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in practical experience. This hands-on approach, including direct testing of products and software in combat zones, ensures that their solutions are not just theoretically capable but excel under the most extreme pressure.

This veteran-led, field-tested approach has allowed Granta Autonomy to rapidly iterate and refine their offerings, distinguishing them in a competitive market. Their focus on providing “battle-tested” drones reflects a commitment to reliability and performance that is crucial for defense applications.

Core Technologies: Autonomy, Vision, and Secure Data

Granta Autonomy’s expertise revolves around several core technological pillars that provide comprehensive solutions for unmanned operations:

1. Autonomous UAVs for ISTAR Missions: Granta Autonomy specializes in developing and producing advanced unmanned aircraft systems primarily for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR). This includes solutions for search and rescue operations and, notably, loitering munitions. Their platforms are designed for:

• Covert Operations: Emphasizing low detectability, crucial for tactical reconnaissance.
• GNSS-Denied (GPS-Denied) Environments: Their drones feature pre-programmed missions for autonomous operation, even in radio silence or when satellite navigation signals are jammed or unavailable. This is a critical capability in modern electronic warfare environments.
• Extended Endurance: Offering impressive flight times for persistent surveillance.

2. Micro Gimbals with Advanced Vision: A vital component of their ISTAR capabilities are their ultra-lightweight micro gimbals, such as the GS-214X and GS-218X. These market-leading direct-drive gimbals provide:

• Daytime and Thermal Vision: Equipped with powerful camera systems that capture clear daytime images from long distances (up to 5 kilometers). They also provide essential thermal vision for effective nighttime operations, ensuring 24/7 mission success.
• Precision and Stability: Direct drive technology ensures highly stable and precise imagery, even during dynamic flight maneuvers.
• Versatility: These gimbals are not only integrated into Granta Autonomy’s own UAVs but are also supplied to a range of partners, showcasing their modularity and broad applicability.

3. Proprietary Digital Datalink Software: Recognizing the critical importance of secure and resilient communication in contested environments, Granta Autonomy has developed its own Digital Datalink software. This proprietary solution ensures:

• Secure Communication: Protecting sensitive information from interception or jamming.
• Reliability: Maintaining connectivity even in challenging electromagnetic conditions.
• Compatibility: Designed to be compatible with most Ground Control Station software, enabling seamless integration into existing operational frameworks.

The Granta Autonomy Fleet: Precision and Persistence

Granta Autonomy offers a range of unmanned aerial systems tailored for various defense needs:

• Hornet XR Mini Reconnaissance UAV: This hand-launched mini reconnaissance UAV is a flagship product designed for covert missions. Weighing just 2.9kg, it can be launched with a simple throw. Key features include:
  • Silent, Electric Flight: Designed for discretion, making it difficult to detect.
  • Extended Endurance: Up to 3 hours of flight time.
  • Long-Range Operations: Capable of covering vast distances (up to 160 kilometers/99 miles) undetected.
  • Autonomous Operation: Capable of executing pre-programmed missions independently, even in radio silence or GNSS-denied environments.
  • Deep-Stall Landing: A simple and effective recovery method for easy retrieval.
  • Compact, Modular Design: Facilitates easy transport and rapid deployment.
  • The Hornet XR integrates Granta Autonomy’s powerful GS-214X and GS-218X gimbal systems for comprehensive ISR.
• GA-10 FPV-AI Quadcopter Drones: These First-Person View (FPV) drones, equipped with AI capabilities, represent Granta Autonomy’s commitment to supporting tactical operations. These drones have secured significant contracts with the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence and are being supplied to both Lithuanian and Ukrainian armed forces, highlighting their immediate relevance and effectiveness in current conflicts. Their “one-way attack” drone capabilities underscore their role in precision strike applications.
• X-Wing VTOL Loitering Munition: Unveiled at IDET 2025 in Brno, Czech Republic, the X-Wing represents Granta Autonomy’s foray into next-generation precision strike assets. This system is designed to enhance tactical operations across modern battlefields.
  • VTOL Capability: Utilizes electric-powered contra-rotating propellers for vertical launch, eliminating the need for complex launch equipment and enabling rapid deployment from confined or urban environments.
  • Affordable Precision Strike: Developed in response to increasing demand for cost-effective precision strike solutions suitable for asymmetrical conflicts and contested environments.
  • Advanced Control Algorithms: Leverages expertise from existing autonomous UAVs to enhance operational reliability and autonomy.
  • Compact and Modular: Offers flexibility and tactical relevance for networked warfare.
  • The X-Wing is currently a fully operational prototype, attracting interest from regional defense customers, particularly NATO member states seeking affordable VTOL loitering options.

Strategic Partnerships and Real-World Impact

Granta Autonomy’s work extends beyond development to strategic collaborations that maximize its impact:

• Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence: Granta Autonomy holds significant contracts with the Lithuanian MoD, supplying both their Hornet XR reconnaissance UAVs and the GA-10 FPV-AI quadcopter drones. This deep national partnership underscores Lithuania’s commitment to developing sovereign defense capabilities and supporting its allies.
• Ukrainian Armed Forces: A testament to their “battle-tested” claims, Granta Autonomy’s FPV drones are actively being supplied to Ukrainian armed forces. This direct involvement in an active conflict zone provides invaluable real-world feedback, allowing for continuous refinement and optimization of their systems for the most demanding conditions.
• Rheinmetall Cooperation: In a significant development announced in May 2025, Granta Autonomy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with German defense contractor Rheinmetall. This agreement outlines plans for joint development of situational awareness systems for military vehicles, specifically integrating unmanned aerial systems into ground-based combat platforms to enhance battlefield awareness. This collaboration highlights a broader trend towards integrating diverse unmanned assets into a cohesive military capability.
• NATO Special Operations Forces: Granta Autonomy supplies its hand-launched Hornet UAVs to NATO special operations forces across Europe, further solidifying their role in modern military operations and their commitment to supporting allied defense.
• Supply Chain Resilience: Recognizing the challenges in sourcing components globally, Granta Autonomy has strategically turned to the Ukrainian market for key parts, aiming to establish mass production there. While they still purchase engines from China, they are actively exploring Ukrainian alternatives, demonstrating a commitment to secure and ethically sourced supply chains, particularly important for defense applications.

AI in Defense and C4ISR Integration

While Granta Autonomy’s website doesn’t use the term “AI in defense” as a separate product category, their foundational technology inherently relies on it:

• Autonomous Operation: The ability of their drones to execute pre-programmed missions and operate in GNSS-denied environments without constant human input is a direct result of sophisticated AI algorithms embedded in their flight control and navigation systems.
• Target Acquisition and Recognition: For their ISTAR missions and loitering munitions, the drones utilize AI-powered vision systems to identify and track targets. While not explicitly detailed as AI vision, the capability to pinpoint specific elements in challenging environments implies advanced image processing and object recognition, essential components of AI in modern defense.
• Decision Support: By providing precise, real-time intelligence from their UAVs, Granta Autonomy systems contribute directly to enhanced C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance). The data collected by their drones – visual, thermal, and positional – feeds into tactical decision-making, providing commanders with a clearer, more immediate understanding of the battlefield. The compatibility of their Datalink software with standard Ground Control Stations further facilitates this integration.

Funding and Future Trajectory

In July 2024, Granta Autonomy emerged from stealth with a successful €1.08 million seed funding round. The round was led by ScaleWolf VC, a prominent Lithuanian dual-use tech VC Fund and Accelerator, with additional investments from Brolis Defence and HFL Holdings. This investment is crucial for accelerating the development and production of their lightweight surveillance and reconnaissance UAVs, micro gimbals, and digital Datalink software.

The funding and strategic partnerships signal a robust growth trajectory for Granta Autonomy. Their consistent presence at major defense exhibitions like Eurosatory 2024 and IDET 2025, where they showcase their latest innovations, demonstrates their proactive engagement with the international defense community. Their current discussions with potential customers for the X-Wing loitering munition, particularly among NATO member states, suggest that further contracts and broader adoption are on the horizon.

A Natural Narrative: Resilience, Precision, and Autonomy

The story of Granta Autonomy is a compelling narrative of innovation driven by necessity. It naturally draws readers in with its focus on real-world military applications and the challenges of modern electronic warfare. The facts about their veteran-led team, their direct combat zone testing, and the concrete capabilities of their drones – from silent, long-endurance reconnaissance to autonomous loitering munitions – paint a vivid picture of a company at the cutting edge of unmanned systems.

Granta Autonomy is not just building drones; they are building the autonomous eyes and, increasingly, the precision strike capabilities that empower modern forces to operate effectively and safely in the most demanding and contested environments. Their journey is a testament to the power of specialized engineering, direct operational feedback, and a steadfast commitment to delivering reliable, battlefield-proven technology.