AEVEX to Expand Its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Portfolio With Specter, a Jet‑Powered, Modular Autonomous Platform

SOLANA BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AEVEX Corp. (NYSE: AVEX) today announced Specter, a new jet‑powered autonomous platform under development to meet emerging mission needs through modular design, open interfaces, and a manufacturing approach built for scale. Developed in collaboration with advanced manufacturing company, Divergent, Specter will advance AEVEX’s leading unmanned systems portfolio with a high-speed, turbojet-powered one-way attack platform built for demanding operational environments.

Specter reflects our lessons learned on capability from delivering thousands of autonomous systems in theater.

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Designed for contested environments and extended mission profiles, Specter’s modular airframe architecture and software‑defined capability are intended to support a wide range of payload types and mission effects. The platform will incorporate a turbojet propulsion architecture, enabling both ground‑launched and air‑launched variants while maintaining flexibility for future mission expansion.

Specter features a modular, swappable nose section designed to accommodate kinetic, non‑kinetic, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and future payloads. Its architecture is engineered to enable rapid integration of new technologies without requiring a full system redesign, supporting responsiveness as mission requirements evolve.

AEVEX is drawing on its extensive experience designing, producing, and fielding high‑volume unmanned systems to shape Specter’s development approach. Lessons from thousands of operational deployments, rapid iteration cycles, and the company’s CompassX autonomy architecture have informed the platform’s software‑driven, adaptable design philosophy.

The program also leverages AEVEX’s recently announced collaboration with Divergent Technologies. Divergent’s digital manufacturing platform, DAPS™, is being incorporated into Specter’s development to support modern, resilient, and scalable production, enabling rapid iteration and manufacturability considerations from the earliest engineering stages.

“Specter reflects our lessons learned on capability from delivering thousands of autonomous systems in theater,” said Manan Patel, Chief Technology Officer at AEVEX. “We are not optimizing for a fixed requirement, we are building an architecture that adapts. Specter is designed to evolve with mission demands, payload technologies, and manufacturing advances over time.”

For more information, visit www.aevex.com.

About AEVEX

AEVEX Corp. (NYSE: AVEX) is a leading U.S. defense technology company delivering autonomous unmanned systems, AI‑enabled mission software, and advanced ISR and electronic warfare solutions for national security customers. With vertically integrated engineering, rapid prototyping, and high‑volume manufacturing across multiple U.S. locations, AEVEX provides affordable, front‑line‑ready capabilities designed for contested and GPS‑denied environments. AEVEX’s mission is to strengthen deterrence, enhance warfighter effectiveness, and help ensure the United States maintains technological and industrial advantage in the era of autonomy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward‑looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding AEVEX’s anticipated future growth and the release, capabilities and design strengths of its new jet‑powered autonomous platform. Forward‑looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties, which may be beyond AEVEX’s control. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied due to factors described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AEVEX undertakes no obligation to update any forward‑looking statements, except as required by law.