Defense firms partner on next-gen UAV launch and recovery systems from USVs

September 8, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

German maritime defense solutions provider FLANQ and developer of autonomous aerial systems CiS have formed a strategic partnership to jointly develop and deploy an integrated capability enabling the launch and recovery of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).

The announcement follows successful trials of a CiS Orka tactical air surveillance and reconnaissance drone being hosted, deployed and recovered aboard a 12-foot FLANQ USV operating autonomously in open water at an undisclosed test site.

Key objectives of the partnership include:

Development of a fully integrated UAV launch-and-recovery system from medium to large USV platforms;
Persistent over-the-horizon intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) enabled by AI-based mission autonomy;
Seamless interoperability with NATO maritime command-and-control frameworks;
Deployment-readiness for dynamic threat environments, including hybrid and grey-zone conflict scenarios.

“This partnership with CiS reinforces our commitment to delivering maritime domain advantage to Europe and its allies,” said Daniel Esser, Co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of FLANQ.

“Together, we are enabling a new level of operational flexibility and responsiveness through intelligent, aerial and uncrewed surface systems.”

“Europe’s maritime borders face increasing threats – from illicit trafficking to shadow fleet sabotage. Through our collaboration with FLANQ, we will deliver an agile, intelligent system that enhances situational awareness and supports decision-makers across the maritime security domain,” Tom Kaufmann, Managing Partner and CEO at CiS, added.

Last month, FLANQ entered into a strategic partnership with provider of submarine systems Gabler to co-develop and deliver a new class of uncrewed surface vessels specifically designed for submarine torpedo tube launch (TTL).

The partners plan to develop and produce both single-use and reusable USV models. The expendable variants will be designed for one-way missions, such as precision strike, while the reusable platforms will support extended ISR missions with recovery options via host platforms or surface assets.