Quantum Systems enters medium-sized air platforms with Pulse P19 – premiere at ILA Berlin 2026

At ILA Berlin 2026, Quantum Systems is showing Pulse P19, an air platform that deliberately responds to lessons from current conflicts. The system was developed in Germany. It combines high speed, long range and versatility and can be flown either manned or unmanned.

The platform is being presented in the presence of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. For the Bavarian company, it marks its entry into the segment of medium-sized air platforms; at the same time, Quantum Systems is adding a so-called optionally manned aircraft to its portfolio for the first time.

Why Quantum Systems is betting on an optionally manned concept

The starting point is the growing weaknesses of classic MALE and LALE drones (Medium and Low Altitude Long Endurance respectively, i.e. medium or low flight altitude with long endurance). In Ukraine and other conflicts, they have increasingly become easy prey for modern air defence and counter-drone systems. Pulse P19 is meant to counter this with more speed, more flexibility, integrated capabilities for countering unmanned aircraft systems (counter-UAS) and high payload capacity.

The platform is intended for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), for training purposes and for counter-UAS tasks. As a building block of the Quantum Systems Mosaic UXS ecosystem, it can also be seamlessly networked with systems in the air and on the ground. This enables, for example, manned-unmanned teaming, recce-strike missions or the rapid integration of additional capabilities.

Florian Seibel, Co-CEO and co-founder of Quantum Systems, sees this as a consequence of current war experience: "The transformation of modern warfare has clearly exposed the limits of classic MALE drones". He adds: "Armed forces today need capabilities that are faster, more cost-efficient and more scalable in order to keep pace with new threats. Pulse P19 was developed precisely for these requirements."

Chief engineer Lars Peter also highlights the innovative approach: "Instead of choosing between a manned aircraft and an unmanned system, we have developed a platform that combines both worlds. The result is an aircraft that combines speed, endurance and cost-effectiveness while opening up a clear development path towards greater autonomy."

According to a recent press release, with Pulse P19 the company is continuing its development from drone manufacturer to provider of networked operational ecosystems. At the same time, the platform underlines that Quantum Systems claims a central role in building sovereign European capabilities in air defence and reconnaissance.