MQ-31A
Italian military designation for AeroVironment's JUMP 20 VTOL drone, assigned 13 Jul 2026.
Last refreshed: 14 July 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
Timeline for MQ-31A
Cleared as AeroVironment's new programme-of-record designation in Italy
Drones: Industry & Defence: AeroVironment opens two more NATO marketsWhat is the MQ-31A?
When was the MQ-31A designated?
Who operates the MQ-31A?
Background
MQ-31A is the military type designation Italy's Ministry of Defence assigned on 13 July 2026 to AeroVironment's JUMP 20, a vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft system. The designation confirms the platform's recognised status as an Italian military capability rather than simply a commercial procurement.
The JUMP 20 itself dates to an April 2025 contract under which AeroVironment agreed to deliver the aircraft, along with sustainment, engineering and support services, to replace the Italian Army's legacy unmanned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance fleet. As a VTOL system it can operate without a Runway, launching and recovering vertically, which suits dispersed or austere basing.
The MQ-31A designation places the JUMP 20 alongside a wider set of AeroVironment platforms gaining formal military status across NATO and allied forces this week, evidence of the aircraft's move from trial procurement into standing operational use within an allied air Arm.