Reliant

Quantum Systems introduced the Reliant in 2024 as its long-range intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platform, positioning it as a Group 3 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing unmanned aerial system. The drone serves as the company’s next-tier asset above the Vector AI, designed to operate in high-wind, high-altitude, and denied environments where legacy platforms struggle. Quantum Systems, a European defense technology firm known for its dual-use capabilities, markets the Reliant as a solution that delivers persistent ISR without requiring runways, launchers, or recovery gear.

The system is powered by a rugged internal combustion engine compatible with heavy fuels, enabling over 10 hours of endurance. Its physical design features an IP55-rated, all-weather airframe capable of deployment by a two-person team in under 15 minutes on a compact 10×10-meter footprint. The Reliant can launch from rooftops, vehicles, ships, or remote terrain. A key structural feature is its dual, swappable payload bays, which are MOD-compliant and allow for the rapid field reconfiguration of sensors, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), signals intelligence (SIGINT), electronic warfare (EW), and carrier-phase-resolving antenna (CRPA) systems, without toolkits or software updates.

At the core of the Reliant’s autonomy are two NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX modules. These onboard edge AI processors handle real-time object detection, scene analysis, and adaptive threat tracking directly on the aircraft. This edge-optimized architecture allows for dynamic mission execution, including the generation of points of interest and adaptive rerouting, even in GNSS-denied or electromagnetic warfare-contested environments. The platform’s software suite, part of the company’s broader MOSAIC UXS ecosystem, enables pattern-of-life detection and change analysis across repeat missions.

Quantum Systems has integrated the Reliant into several strategic initiatives. In July 2026, the company was selected as a founding member of the EU-Ukraine Drone Alliance, signaling its role in supporting Ukrainian defense capabilities. That same month, Quantum Systems was chosen for Japan’s Counter-UAS Proof-of-Concept Program. The company also announced major upgrades to the Reliant in July 2026, further refining its long-range unmanned aerial capabilities. While the platform is designed for Western militaries and allied partners, specific combat deployment data and operator counts remain unverified in public sources. The Reliant competes in the long-range ISR market by offering infrastructure-free deployment and robust edge computing, distinguishing itself from systems that rely heavily on ground-based control stations or continuous satellite connectivity.