EDGE Unveils First UAE-made Family of Smart Loitering Munitions at IDEX 2021
21.2.2021 19:08:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
EDGE, an advanced technology group for defence and beyond, today launches its first family of multirotor loitering munitions, the QX range. In addition, Shadow 50 and Shadow 25, Rash 2 gliding munition kit, as well as new variants of the RW24 range – all designed and manufactured in the company’s first year of operations – were unveiled on the first day of the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX 2021), that is underway at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre until 25 February.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210221005030/en/
EDGE launches QX range- its first family of multirotor loitering munitions (Photo: AETOSWire)
The unveiling of the Class-1 electric unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) took place at the EDGE pavilion in the presence of His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, CEO and Managing Director of EDGE and Ali Al Yafei, CEO of ADASI.
His Excellency Faisal Al Bannai, CEO & Managing Director, EDGE, said: “Right now, drone technology is revolutionising our world with the full potential of unmanned and autonomous capabilities still to be further explored – not just in the military sector, but the commercial sector too.”
He added: “Through launching the first UAE-made family of smart loitering drones, EDGE marks a significant milestone as a key technology enabler and in boosting the country’s autonomous capabilities and AI integration. With the future increasingly relying on unmanned systems that provide a higher degree of tactical flexibility, we have invested extensively to fast-track R&D investments in these domains, bringing related products to market with speed.”
The QX family of loitering munitions comprises four products: QX-1, a micro-UAV, QX-2, a mini-UAV, QX-3, a small UAV, and QX-4, which features an impressive vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed wing. The precision-guided systems use sophisticated AI algorithms to target and strike, boasting an accuracy of 1 m CEP (circular error probable) – with an aim similar to laser guided munitions. Built to launch in any environment or terrain, the entire QX family of UAVs are lightweight, man portable, and comprise VTOL capabilities.
The second range of loitering munitions consists of Shadow 50 and Shadow 25. As the name implies, Shadow 50 can carry a payload of 50kg – exactly double its counterpart. Shadow 25 is a high-speed system equipped with a jet engine and boasts a short reaction time. Delivering high precision strike against fixed targets and advanced guidance capabilities, these UAVs leverage Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) and can fly using video navigation systems in GPS denied Environment.
Also launched on Day 1 of IDEX, the Rash 2 is a fixed-wing guidance kit for mortars and other in-house designed payloads, capable of gliding in flight and directing munitions to ground targets, available in different sizes to accommodate varying payload capacity, range, and endurance. ADASI has secured AED 55 million contract to supply Rash 2 to the UAE Armed Forces, marking the first order of the newly launched product.
Three new additions to the RW-24 range were also launched in time for IDEX 2021. The newly unveiled RW-24 Seeker is equipped with a thermal automatic seeker that enable greater accuracy of engagement of moving targets and increased functionality within GPS-denied environments.
The RW-24 Extended Warhead and RW-24 Extended Range variants increase the payload capacity from 8 kg to 13 kg, enabling the drone to carry additional fuel or to increase the size of the warhead.
EDGE is an advanced technology group that ranks among the top 25 military suppliers in the world.
About EDGE
EDGE is an advanced technology group established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond. Enabling a secure future, it is dedicated to bringing innovative technologies and services to market with greater speed and efficiency. Consolidating over 25 entities and employing more than 13,000 brilliant minds, it offers expertise across five core clusters: Platforms & Systems, Missiles & Weapons, Cyber Defence, Electronic Warfare & Intelligence and Mission Support. Headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, EDGE is a catalyst for change – set to revolutionise the industry and change its fundamentals.
*Source: AETOSWire
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210221005030/en/
Contact information
Thushara Mohanan
media@edgegroup.ae
+971-555080413/ +971-55-3584520
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Ryan Expands Global Presence and European Reach Through Acquisition of Svalner Atlas Advisors1.6.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Ryan, LLC (“Ryan”), a leading global tax services and software provider, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Svalner Atlas Advisors, a premier independent tax and transaction advisory firm headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden. The acquisition will expand Ryan’s presence across the Nordics and Benelux regions while enhancing the Firm’s ability to deliver integrated cross-border tax and advisory services throughout Europe. Founded through the combination of three leading advisory firms in Sweden, Finland, and the Netherlands, Svalner Atlas Advisors has established itself as a leading independent advisory group in the region. Today, the firm includes more than 450 professionals and 50 partners serving more than 4,000 clients across five countries, with offices in Stockholm, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Oslo, Copenhagen, Gothenburg, and Turku. “This transaction is an important milestone in Ryan’s continued European growth strategy,” said G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and
Electricity System Transformation Vital to Meet Future Needs, Arthur D. Little Blue Shift Report Finds1.6.2026 12:00:00 EEST | Press release
Arthur D. Little (ADL)’s Blue Shift Institute today published The Future of Electricity - From Building Capacity to Shaping Flexibility. The in-depth new report explores the growing pressures on electricity systems worldwide, and how they must transform to meet radically changing needs. With demand predicted to rise by 40-55% by 2035, it identifies practical strategies for maintaining reliability, affordability, and resilience. Electricity systems face profound challenges due to the accelerating electrification of end uses, increasing renewables deployments, and the digitalization of economies. Rising variability and system stress is already leading to instability, grid congestion, and disruption. Demonstrating this, an April 2025 blackout across the Iberian Peninsula led to at least eight deaths and an estimated US $1.8 billion in economic losses. Based on in-depth research and expert interviews, the report outlines the need to reshape infrastructure and operations to move from supply
Procore Redefines the Common Data Environment with Connected Data and Agentic AI1.6.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Procore Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: PCOR), the leading global provider of construction management software, today announced the launch of its connected Common Data Environment (CDE)—a purpose-built CDE from the ground up on a single platform to unify and verify project data from approved design to handover, capturing evidence in the flow of work to help keep the digital record aligned with site reality. This trusted data foundation allows agentic AI to act across the full construction lifecycle. In an industry where fragmented information continues to slow decision-making and contribute to costly delays, connected data is increasingly defining top-performing organizations. New research from Dodge Construction Network* found firms with optimized data practices achieve up to 23% higher productivity, manage 27.8% greater construction volume using the same resources, and reduce project delays by more than six days. Those firms also report up to 40% stronger overall performance, highlighting
AI Investment Boom Across the UK is Fuelled More by Fear of Missing out Than Actual Results, According to Expereo1.6.2026 11:00:00 EEST | Press release
Enterprise AI spending is climbing rapidly, with boards racing to deploy the technology faster than they can measure whether it works. According to the latest IDC InfoBrief, commissioned by Expereo*, around 70% of organizations are investing in AI, motivated by its potential or by the fear of falling behind the competition, but they lag in disciplined ROI evaluation, and one in five (20%) admit they are investing aggressively in AI with little evaluation, driven by the fear of being left behind. The IDC InfoBrief, based on a survey of 800 technology leaders across Europe, the US, and APAC, found that AI has become one of the most prioritized technology investments globally. When asked which technologies their organization will prioritize in terms of effort and/or financial investment over the next 12 months, 51% of organizations said AI or ML. However, returns are failing to keep pace with the hype. Just 19% of global organizations surveyed say their AI implementations have exceeded ex
Corient Completes Acquisitions of Stonehage Fleming and Stanhope Capital Group; Global Assets Surpass US$500 Billion1.6.2026 09:15:00 EEST | Press release
Corient today announced the successful completion of its previously announced acquisitions of Stonehage Fleming and Stanhope Capital Group, marking a significant milestone in its continued global expansion. “This is an exciting moment for Corient and the clients we serve around the world,” said Kurt MacAlpine, Founding Partner and Chief Executive Officer of Corient. “We are thrilled to welcome our new Partners at Stonehage Fleming and Stanhope Capital Group to Corient as we continue building a truly global firm defined by partnership, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to client excellence.” With today’s announcement, Corient becomes the world’s largest non-bank wealth manager and multi-family office focused on ultra-high- and high-net-worth clients. The firm, established in 2020, operates under a client-first approach with complete fee transparency. Corient operates under a distinctive private partnership model, similar to those used by leading professional services firms, tha
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom