Beyond Vision Demonstrates VTOL & Quadcopter Drones During OPEX 2025

Beyond Vision participated in the European Defence Agency’s (EDA) inaugural Operational Experimentation Campaign (OPEX) under the Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI).

This first-of-its-kind initiative was designed to test autonomous systems in realistic military environments, with a focus on enhancing cross-domain logistics capabilities across Europe.

OPEX 2025 brought together innovators, defence experts, and end-users to evaluate emerging technologies under operational conditions. The campaign’s opening theme, Autonomous Systems for Cross-domain Logistics, sought to accelerate the adoption of unmanned systems for resupply, reconnaissance, and rapid incident response, while providing critical data for public safety and operational efficiency.

Beyond Vision’s Role

Beyond Vision was selected to contribute in the Low-Cost Attritable UAS category, a key segment of this year’s theme. This category evaluates small, affordable aerial platforms capable of transporting payloads under 10kg, demonstrating the potential of multiple low-cost systems to support agile, scalable logistics in contested or hard-to-reach areas.

During OPEX 2025, Beyond Vision deployed its next-generation UAV technology in live operational scenarios, where endurance, payload capacity, and autonomy were rigorously tested under military-grade standards.

UAV Platforms: BVQ418 & VTOne

Beyond Vision’s campaign participation focused on two mature, field-tested platforms:

BVQ418: A fully electric, Class 3 multirotor UAV with a 7kg payload capacity and up to 90 minutes of flight time. The BVQ418 is equipped with AI-powered autonomous navigation and modular payload integration, capable of carrying logistics cargo, sensors, and supporting real-time monitoring.

VTOne: An electric VTOL fixed-wing hybrid drone with a 300km operational range and 2kg payload capacity, ideal for long-distance resupply and ISR missions. Both UAVs are integrated with beXStream, Beyond Vision’s cloud-based command and asset management platform, which provides mission planning, live telemetry, and secure communications.

Beyond Vision’s systems can autonomously land in confined areas as small as 5×5 meters or on moving vehicles at speeds up to 15 knots. In environments with limited connectivity, direct drone-to-drone communication ensures continuous coordination, while a spotter drone system provides real-time obstacle detection and route optimization.

All deployed systems, including payloads like LiDAR and transport modules, are at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7–9, reflecting high maturity. Previous civilian and military deployments confirm their readiness for the complex, multi-domain scenarios OPEX 2025 will simulate.

Why Beyond Vision?

Beyond Vision combines advanced technology with proven operational expertise. The company’s selection for OPEX 2025 reflects its reputation for developing reliable, modular UAVs with seamless integration into command-and-control platforms such as ATAK. beXStream adds a layer of intelligence by enabling secure mission management, autonomous coordination, and live data sharing.

The campaign is led by Dário Pedro, CEO of Beyond Vision, a PhD in Artificial Intelligence with extensive expertise in UAV image processing. Duarte Alemão, R&D Project Manager, brings a PhD in robotics and experience leading EU-funded innovation projects. UAV operations are managed by Pedro Santos, a veteran UAS pilot with service in the Portuguese Navy and Air Force. Complementing the team, Duarte Correia, João Mendes, and Rodrigo Carvalho provide hardware, software, and systems integration expertise, ensuring robust performance under operational conditions.

This combination of academic excellence, field experience, and technical innovation positioned Beyond Vision to deliver not only capable but forward-looking contributions to OPEX 2025.

Expected Outcomes for OPEX 2025

Key outcomes from the campaign:

• Performance validation of UAVs in field logistics scenarios, including payload, range, and autonomous operation.
• Interoperability proof with EU-standard command systems and situational awareness tools like ATAK.
• Demonstration of novel concepts, including SWARM logistics and multi-platform coordination through beXStream.
• Insights into regulatory and operational benchmarks, guiding future UAV development aligned with European defence requirements.

Participation in OPEX 2025 allows Beyond Vision to help shape the next generation of cross-domain logistics solutions for Europe, informing both its own product roadmap and the broader strategic trajectory of unmanned systems deployment in EU military operations.

The European Defence Innovation OPEX campaign, hosted by the Italian Army at advanced sites including CEPOLISPE near Rome, is Europe’s first major field initiative for autonomous systems in defence. The campaign covered UAS and UGS platforms for resupply, CASEVAC, and reconnaissance applications, structured across seven technology-focused lots.

OPEX 2025 unfolded in three phases: setup, live operational experimentation during June and July, and assessment. By simulating realistic operational environments, OPEX aims to bridge the gap between innovative technologies and operational adoption, accelerating the development of an agile and collaborative European defence ecosystem.

Beyond Vision’s participation in OPEX 2025 highlighted its commitment to advancing UAV solutions for defence logistics and demonstrates the operational potential of autonomous aerial systems in Europe’s evolving security landscape.

Find out more about the OPEX Campaign here.