ADASI

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ADASI

The Shadow 25, an ADASI loitering munition
Formerly	Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments
Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Defence industry Aerospace industry Autonomous systems
Founded	2007; 19 years ago (2007)
Headquarters	Abu Dhabi , United Arab Emirates
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Juma Al Kaabi Chief executive officer
Products	Unmanned aerial vehicles Unmanned ground vehicles Loitering munitions Guidance systems
Services	Systems integration Flight operations Maintenance and logistics Training
Parent	EDGE Group
Website	edgegroup.ae/adasi

ADASI, originally known as Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments, is an Emirati defence and aerospace company specialising in autonomous and remotely operated systems. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, it is a subsidiary of the Emirati advanced-technology and defence conglomerate EDGE Group and operates within the group's Platforms and Systems division.^[1][2]

Founded in 2007, ADASI develops, manufactures, integrates, operates and supports unmanned systems for the air, land and maritime domains. Its activities include unmanned-aircraft design, autonomous flight-control integration, mission-system integration, loitering munitions, unmanned ground vehicles, training, maintenance, logistics and operational support.^[1]

ADASI's product portfolio includes the Garmoosha unmanned helicopter, the Jernas-S and Jernas-M unmanned aircraft, the Jeniah unmanned combat aircraft, the Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 loitering munitions, the QX family of tactical unmanned systems and the Scorpio family of unmanned ground vehicles. The company has also overseen production and delivery of the REACH-S unmanned aircraft developed by EDGE's Advanced Concepts division.^[3]

Major publicly announced contracts include an AED1.33 billion order for Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 systems, an AED239 million Garmoosha order, an AED487 million contract for Rash guidance kits and an AED234 million contract to supply Camcopter S-100 unmanned helicopters to the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces.^[4][5]

ADASI was established in Abu Dhabi in 2007 under the name Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments.^[1][6]

The company was formed to acquire, operate and support autonomous aircraft while developing domestic expertise in unmanned systems, sensor integration, command-and-control equipment and aircraft maintenance.

Its early activities focused primarily on the acquisition and operation of foreign-designed unmanned aircraft for Emirati customers. These activities included:

• selection and procurement of unmanned platforms;
• mission and operational analysis;
• integration of electro-optical and radar payloads;
• operation of unmanned aircraft;
• pilot and ground-crew training;
• maintenance and engineering support;
• logistics and spare-parts management; and
• integration with command, control, communications, computers and intelligence systems.

By 2015, ADASI formed part of the Emirates Defence Industries Company, an earlier Emirati defence-industry organisation that consolidated several aerospace, maintenance and manufacturing businesses.^[7]

EDGE Group was established in Abu Dhabi in November 2019 by consolidating companies from the Emirates Defence Industries Company, Emirates Advanced Investments Group and Tawazun Holding.^[8]

ADASI became part of EDGE's Platforms and Systems division, which covers the development, production, integration, maintenance and upgrading of air, land and maritime platforms.^[2]

During the 2019 Dubai Airshow, ADASI signed an exclusive agreement with SwissDrones Operating AG concerning the Swiss company's SDO 50 V2 unmanned helicopter. The agreement covered potential use of the aircraft for infrastructure surveys, security, surveillance and search-and-rescue missions in the United Arab Emirates.^[9]

In February 2020, ADASI unveiled the Garmoosha unmanned helicopter at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi. It was described as the first unmanned vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft of its class developed and manufactured in the United Arab Emirates.^[10]

The original aircraft was reported to carry approximately 100 kg (220 lb) for six hours. Development subsequently increased the published payload capacity to approximately 120 kg (260 lb) and endurance to eight hours.^[11]

In November 2023, ADASI received an AED239 million contract to supply Garmoosha systems to the UAE Ministry of Defence. The agreement included integrated logistical support, training and spare-parts management.^[12]

In February 2025, ADASI and the Turkish company Meteksan Defence announced the integration of the Milsar synthetic-aperture and moving-target-indication radar with the Garmoosha aircraft.^[13]

At the International Defence Exhibition and Conference in February 2021, ADASI unveiled the QX family of tactical loitering munitions. The family initially consisted of:

• QX-1 – a portable micro unmanned aircraft;
• QX-2 – a larger mini unmanned aircraft;
• QX-3 – a small aircraft capable of carrying multiple guided munitions; and
• QX-4 – a fixed-wing vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft.^[14]

The systems incorporated electro-optical sensors, satellite navigation, video transmission and autonomous flight-control functions. The QX-1, QX-2 and QX-3 were developed principally as tactical loitering munitions, while later versions of the QX-4 were presented for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 systems were initially unveiled by HALCON, another EDGE subsidiary, before responsibility for marketing and supply was assigned to ADASI.

In February 2023, ADASI received an AED1.33 billion contract to supply Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 systems to the UAE Armed Forces.^[4][15]

The Shadow systems later received their first publicly confirmed export customer when Serbia acquired Shadow 25 and Shadow 50 systems. The weapons were displayed by the Serbian Armed Forces during a military parade in September 2025.^[16]

In February 2021, ADASI and NIMR unveiled an autonomous version of the Ajban 440A armoured vehicle. The Ajban armed robotic vehicle incorporated remote driving, surveillance sensors and remote weapon integration.^[17]

ADASI also introduced the Scorpio-M and Scorpio-S unmanned ground vehicles. The smaller Scorpio-M was designed for portable reconnaissance and inspection missions, while the larger Scorpio-S could carry heavier payloads, a robotic arm or a remote weapon station.^[18]

At UMEX 2022, ADASI presented the Scorpio-B, a larger autonomous ground vehicle equipped for surveillance, transport and weapon integration.^[19]

In November 2023, EDGE announced a UAE Ministry of Defence order for 100 REACH-S medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft.^[3]

The aircraft was developed by EDGE's Advanced Concepts division. ADASI was assigned responsibility for overseeing production, integration and delivery to the UAE Armed Forces.

The REACH-S programme was presented as the first major order for a domestically produced Emirati fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. The platform was designed for missions including:

• intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance;
• border observation;
• long-range patrol;
• target acquisition; and
• precision ground attack.

ADASI's role in the programme included production management, final integration, logistical support and delivery rather than original airframe design.

At the Dubai Airshow in November 2025, ADASI presented the Jernas-S and Jernas-M unmanned aircraft.

The Jernas-S is a compact medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft with a published maximum take-off weight of 630 kg (1,390 lb), an 8 m (26 ft) wingspan and a maximum mission payload of 155 kg (342 lb).

The larger Jernas-M has a published maximum take-off weight of 1,200 kg (2,600 lb), a 10 m (33 ft) wingspan and a maximum mission payload of 280 kg (620 lb).^[20]

Both aircraft use canard aerodynamic configurations, rear-mounted piston engines and pusher propellers. They are intended to carry electro-optical, radar, electronic-warfare and precision-strike payloads.

ADASI also continued development of the Jeniah, a jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft first publicly displayed at IDEX 2023. The aircraft has an internal payload bay and has been presented for high-speed reconnaissance, strike and collaborative combat missions.^[21]

ADASI is part of EDGE Group's Platforms and Systems division.^[2]

The division includes companies involved in:

• air-platform development;
• autonomous aircraft;
• armoured vehicles;
• shipbuilding;
• propulsion systems;
• precision engineering;
• maintenance, repair and overhaul;
• systems integration; and
• platform lifecycle support.

ADASI's headquarters are in Abu Dhabi. The company uses EDGE's wider engineering, manufacturing, testing and supply-chain network for component production, propulsion, weapons integration, communications and mission systems.

Juma Al Kaabi was identified by EDGE as ADASI's chief executive officer in 2023 and 2025.^[22]

ADASI develops, integrates, manufactures or supports several categories of unmanned aircraft:

• rotary-wing unmanned aircraft;
• fixed-wing surveillance aircraft;
• medium-altitude, long-endurance aircraft;
• vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft;
• unmanned combat aircraft;
• loitering munitions; and
• foreign-designed systems adapted for UAE requirements.

Its activities cover the complete aircraft lifecycle, including concept development, prototype testing, production, payload integration, operation, maintenance, training and logistical support.

ADASI's land-systems work includes the development of unmanned ground vehicles and the conversion of crewed vehicles for autonomous or remote operation.

Ground-system applications include:

• reconnaissance;
• explosive-ordnance disposal;
• route inspection;
• logistics;
• casualty evacuation;
• remote weapon operation;
• perimeter security; and
• operations in hazardous environments.

ADASI integrates mission equipment supplied by EDGE companies and international manufacturers. This may include:

• electro-optical and infrared sensors;
• synthetic-aperture radars;
• moving-target-indication radars;
• electronic-warfare payloads;
• communications relays;
• satellite-navigation equipment;
• anti-jamming navigation systems;
• ground-control stations;
• command-and-control networks; and
• precision-guided weapons.

In 2025, ADASI agreed to acquire P145i aircraft engines from POWERTECH, another EDGE entity, for use in unmanned aircraft and light aviation platforms.^[22]

The company provides operational services for autonomous aircraft and their associated ground-control equipment.

Its support activities include:

• mission planning;
• flight operations;
• platform operation;
• pilot and operator training;
• maintenance;
• engineering support;
• spare-parts management;
• field-service teams;
• system upgrades;
• payload integration;
• technical documentation; and
• lifecycle management.^[1]

ADASI has operated and supported Al Sabr unmanned systems for more than a decade, including aircraft operations, payload support, pilot training, maintenance and logistics.^[1]

ADASI provides operator and technical training for unmanned aircraft, ground vehicles and associated mission systems.

The company's SKYEDGE Academy provides training involving:

• first-person-view drone operation;
• unmanned-aircraft deployment;
• mission planning;
• autonomous-system operation;
• augmented- and virtual-reality simulation;
• equipment maintenance; and
• tactical employment of unmanned systems.^[23]

Selected ADASI unmanned aerial systems

System	Type	ADASI role	Status
Garmoosha	Unmanned helicopter	Developed, manufactured, integrated and supported by ADASI	Ordered by the UAE Ministry of Defence
Jernas-S	Compact medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft	Developed by ADASI	Development and production programme
Jernas-M	Medium-altitude, long-endurance multi-mission aircraft	Developed by ADASI	Under development
Jeniah	Jet-powered unmanned combat aircraft	Developed by ADASI	Under development
REACH-S	Medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft	Production, integration and delivery overseen by ADASI; developed by EDGE Advanced Concepts	100 ordered by the UAE Ministry of Defence
QX-4	Fixed-wing vertical-take-off-and-landing aircraft	Developed and marketed by ADASI	Presented in surveillance and loitering-munition configurations
Camcopter S-100	Unmanned helicopter	Supplied, integrated and supported by ADASI; designed by Schiebel	Ordered by the UAE Armed Forces
Al Sabr	Unmanned aerial system	Operated, maintained and supported by ADASI	Operational-support programme

Selected ADASI loitering munitions

System	Configuration	Published role
QX-1	Portable multirotor aircraft	Short-range precision engagement
QX-2	Mini multirotor aircraft	Tactical precision engagement
QX-3	Small unmanned aircraft carrying up to four guided munitions	Surveillance and precision attack
Shadow 25	Jet-powered fixed-wing loitering munition	Rapid precision strike against fixed targets
Shadow 50	Piston-powered fixed-wing loitering munition	Long-endurance precision strike
RW-24	Fixed-wing loitering munition	Target engagement and extended-range missions

The QX family was publicly unveiled by ADASI in 2021. The Shadow family was originally presented by HALCON and was subsequently assigned to ADASI's product and supply portfolio.^[14][15]

Selected ADASI ground systems

System	Type	Intended function
Ajban 440A ARV	Unmanned armoured vehicle	Reconnaissance, fire support and remote operation
Scorpio-M	Portable unmanned ground vehicle	Indoor and outdoor reconnaissance
Scorpio-S	Small unmanned ground vehicle	Reconnaissance, robotic-arm and weapon-station missions
Scorpio-B	Larger unmanned ground vehicle	Surveillance, transport and remote weapon integration

The Ajban armed robotic vehicle was developed with NIMR using the Ajban 440A armoured vehicle as its base platform.^[17]

ADASI has developed and supplied guidance kits for airborne and surface-launched munitions.

The Rash family includes guidance kits intended to convert compatible payloads into precision-guided weapons. In November 2023, ADASI received an AED487 million contract to supply Rash 2M and Rash 2H systems to the UAE Ministry of Defence.^[24]

Published ADASI guidance-system designations include:

• Rash 1;
• Rash 2M;
• Rash 2H;
• Rash 3H; and
• other aircraft-specific configurations.

ADASI also integrates EDGE-manufactured weapons such as the Desert Sting and Rash families with its unmanned aircraft.

Publicly announced ADASI contracts

Year	Customer	System or service	Publicly announced value	Details
2020	United Arab Emirates Armed Forces	Camcopter S-100 unmanned helicopters	AED234 million	Included logistics, engineering support and training
2021	United Arab Emirates Armed Forces	Rash 2 guidance systems	AED55 million	First publicly announced order for the system
2023	United Arab Emirates Armed Forces	Shadow 25 and Shadow 50	AED1.33 billion	Combined contract for both Shadow systems
2023	UAE Ministry of Defence	Garmoosha unmanned aircraft	AED239 million	Included logistics, training and spare-parts support
2023	UAE Ministry of Defence	Rash 2M and Rash 2H systems	AED487 million	Precision-guidance systems
2023	UAE Ministry of Defence	100 REACH-S aircraft	Not publicly disclosed	ADASI responsible for production oversight and delivery

The publicly announced figures do not necessarily represent ADASI's total revenue or order book, as individual contract values and quantities are not disclosed for every programme.

ADASI has worked with companies inside and outside EDGE Group on platform development, propulsion, sensors and operational support.

Selected partnerships include:

NIMR

Joint development of the remotely operated Ajban 440A armed robotic vehicle.^[17]

Schiebel

Supply, modification and support of Camcopter S-100 unmanned helicopters for the UAE Armed Forces.^[25]

SwissDrones

Exclusive UAE sales and operational cooperation concerning the SDO 50 V2 unmanned helicopter.^[9]

Meteksan Defence

Integration of the Milsar synthetic-aperture and moving-target-indication radar with Garmoosha.^[13]

POWERTECH

Supply of P145i piston engines for ADASI unmanned aircraft and light aviation applications.^[22]

EDGE Advanced Concepts

Development-to-production cooperation for the REACH-S unmanned aircraft.^[3]

• Edge Group
• Unmanned aerial vehicle
• Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
• Loitering munition

• Official ADASI website
• ADASI products on EDGE Group
• Media related to Adasi EDGE aircraft at Wikimedia Commons