Destinus Group has announced a binding agreement to acquire Zurich-based Daedalean, a leader in aviation AI solutions, for CHF 180 million (approximately $225 million) in a combined cash-and-stock transaction. The acquisition, expected to close by the end of 2025, aims to integrate cutting-edge AI into Destinus’s core products, significantly enhancing its technological capabilities.
Destinus, founded in 2021, is a European developer of flight systems for civil and defense applications, employing over 500 people. Headquartered in the Netherlands, it operates in Germany, Switzerland, France, the UK, Spain, and Ukraine. Daedalean, established in 2016, is a pioneer in AI avionics software enabling AI-assisted piloting and navigation in GNSS-denied environments.
This acquisition is crucial for Destinus’ strategy to expand AI solutions for unmanned flight systems in both civil and defense markets, boosting its market position.
Tim Moser, Co-founder and CTO of Destinus, stated, “This acquisition strengthens our technological position by adding world-class AI expertise and deep-learning specialists. Integrating Daedalean’s innovative solutions and exceptional team will accelerate our strategy to develop, certify, and launch intelligent UAV systems for defense and civil markets.”
Bas Gouverneur, CEO of Daedalean, commented, “Joining Destinus is a logical next step after our successful collaboration. Together, we’ll deliver innovative AI-driven autonomy, swarm intelligence, and sophisticated decision-making tools to market faster, making flight safer, more resilient, and operationally flexible.”
Daedalean’s team, consisting of more than 150 specialists including 13 PhDs, brings extensive expertise in AI, machine learning, and avionics. Integrating their solutions accelerates Destinus’ capability to deliver intelligent UAV systems, enhancing human operators’ effectiveness and decision-making in managing flight systems and drone swarms. These tools significantly boost tactical insight, mission adaptability, resilience, and operational effectiveness.
The companies’ previous successful collaboration makes this integration a natural progression. Combining Destinus’ aerospace engineering with Daedalean’s AI expertise will speed innovation, reduce time-to-market, and enhance global competitiveness.
*Lead image: Destinus LORD aircraft. Photo: uncredited.*