Company / Aerial Drones
Donaustahl
Defence technology company from Hutthurm in Lower Bavaria developing UAV platforms, avionics and effectors, known for the MAUS FPV loitering munition.
Hutthurm, GermanyAerial Drones systems
About the company
About Donaustahl
Donaustahl GmbH is a defence technology company based in Hutthurm near Passau in Lower Bavaria. According to the company, it has been developing specialised systems and components for the security and defence sector since 2020, with a focus on short development cycles, independence from critical suppliers and production-oriented design.
Its portfolio covers modular UAV platforms, UAV avionics and electronics with an emphasis on system integration, defence components including warheads, and training on drone systems. The company is best known for MAUS, an FPV quadcopter designed as a low-cost loitering munition platform with interchangeable warheads.
In 2024 Donaustahl received German government approval to produce and export MAUS drones to Ukraine, where a Ukrainian military intelligence special forces unit was reported as the first customer.
In the news4 stories
Donaustahl hires Horst Rieder as CFO – former KNDS finance chief takes the helm
People and appointments at Donaustahl: a long-serving group CFO of KNDS is now responsible for the company's finances. Horst Rieder is to expand the financial structures and provide strategic support for the firm's growth.
Drone warheads: Donaustahl has IABG test new series to NATO standards
Detonation and safety tests for the Western market: Donaustahl GmbH is having its new drone warheads tested for NATO suitability at IABG. Managing Director Stefan Thumann speaks of a decisive step.
Loitering munition: interview with Donaustahl founder Stefan Thumann
Stefan Thumann is founder, managing director and chief designer of Donaustahl GmbH. With its Maus platform, the Lower Bavarian defence start-up is regarded as Germany's leading company in loitering munition and a major supporter of the Ukrainian armed forces.
FPV drone Maus: Donaustahl cleared to export to Ukraine
Green light from Berlin: Germany's Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs has approved Donaustahl's export of the FPV drone Maus to Ukraine. The drone unit Kraken is to be the first user to evaluate the modular system.