AEVEX Aerospace has acquired Veth Research Associates (VRA), a veteran-owned firm specializing in navigation and autonomous systems. The partnership aims to enhance AEVEX’s capabilities in delivering solutions for unmanned systems operating in jammed and contested environments, which is essential for addressing the challenges anticipated in future conflict scenarios.

Established in 2013, VRA brings to AEVEX its intellectual property portfolio centered around a sensor fusion engine, which powers real-time autonomous decision-making using deep neural networks and machine learning. Integrating VRA’s expertise seeks to improve AEVEX’s ability to deliver autonomous hardware and software solutions, particularly combat-proven Group-II and Group III tactical UAS operating in GPS-denied or spoofed environments.

VRA’s LYNX vision-based navigation (VBN) system enables navigation independent of GPS. It features day/night capability, a modular design and open architecture, making it adaptable for use on both manned and unmanned platforms. It is currently deployed with multiple Department of Defense (DOD) and international users.

Brian Raduenz, CEO of AEVEX Aerospace, emphasized the strategic importance of this acquisition, stating, “With the addition of VRA’s leadership team and subject matter experts, we are well-positioned to lead the future of autonomous decision-making in contested environments. Their innovative sensor fusion engine will serve as the backbone of our navigation solutions as we advance into the next generation of GPS-denied capabilities.”