Loitering munition Skystriker: Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems demonstrate hand-over at 80 kilometres

Diehl Defence and Elbit Systems have taken their strategic partnership a further decisive step forward. At the beginning of September 2026, the Skystriker loitering munition accurately demonstrated its operational performance in a broad-based demonstration under live conditions. It followed the cooperation agreement that the two companies had signed at ILA Berlin in June 2026.

Hand-over at a distance of 80 kilometres

The demonstration focused on Skystriker’s range and the “hand-over” function, which was achieved at a distance of 80 kilometres. It showed that the system detects, tracks and engages targets autonomously and with very high precision.

Launched from a canister, Skystriker reconnoitred a target during the live demonstration, tracked it and then successfully struck it. The interaction with the SkyLark 1 eVTOL reconnaissance drone also worked smoothly. This shows how seamlessly the system fits into complex networks of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) – and what possibilities this opens up for highly specialised “Seek & Strike” missions.

Loitering munition with electric propulsion

Skystriker is a latest-generation, electrically powered loitering munition, developed specifically for tactical precision effects at long ranges. With a range of over 200 kilometres and a loiter time of more than two hours, it can cover a wide spectrum of mission requirements.

Thanks to its electric propulsion, the system also has an extremely low acoustic and thermal signature, which makes detection more difficult.

Skystriker has already established itself in several countries as a combat-proven and reliable system. High-resolution video reconnaissance and autonomous target tracking enable precise, effective engagement, minimising collateral damage.

From vehicles to the Europuls rocket launcher

Its high operational flexibility allows Skystriker to be launched from numerous platforms: from ground vehicles, from containers, from aircraft and from the Europuls rocket artillery system, which is of importance to the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) and other European nations. Armed forces can thus make use of its ISR and strike capabilities.

Europuls is the product of a joint venture operated by KNDS and Elbit Systems Land in Kassel. With Predator Hawk munitions, the rocket artillery system already achieves a range of around 300 kilometres. Up to 500 systems are under discussion for Germany, 250 of which are covered by the first framework contract.

Production in Germany in sight

“The successful demonstration confirms the technological maturity and enormous versatility of the Skystriker system. For Diehl Defence, it is a decisive step to demonstrate the synergies between our systems and the requirements of modern armed forces directly on site. We are proud to be setting the course, together with Elbit Systems, for state-of-the-art local production in Germany in order to strengthen European defence capability in the long term”— Gunnar Pappert, Head of the Land Systems product division at Diehl Defence

“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to show the capabilities of our Skystriker here and to offer it to the various nations to meet their individual requirements. Our system is already setting the benchmarks for the future long-range loitering munition today. This demonstration is a further milestone for Skystriker in Europe and on the way to German production.”— Marian Rachow, CEO Elbit Systems Deutschland

With their cooperation, the two partners want to meet the growing demand for state-of-the-art autonomous systems in Germany and, as soon as a requirement is registered, to set up German production. The tasks are divided: Elbit Systems is driving strategic market development, while Diehl Defence is responsible for manufacturing, assembly, integration and qualification locally in Germany.