Germany's Bundeswehr has started trials of Avilus' "Grille" drones for battlefield casualty evacuation under an early-April contract. The pilot uses two drones and includes training for soldiers and medical staff while testing operational integration. Avilus reports a range of ~50 km, speeds of ~90 km/h and a payload capacity up to 135 kg. The trials will assess performance, patient handling and potential operational value.
Bundeswehr Trials ‘Grille’ Medical Evacuation Drones in Combat-Rescue Test
File Photo - The Bundeswehr's "Grille" rescue drone. (is associated with: «German military tests drone system for combat casualty evacuations») Peter Kneffel/dpa
Germany's armed forces, the Bundeswehr, have begun trialling a drone-based medical evacuation system under a contract signed in early April with manufacturer Avilus. The agreement covers a trial operation using two "Grille" drones and includes training for soldiers and medical personnel.
"The aim is to precisely adapt the system to the specific operational requirements of the armed forces through practical testing with the Bundeswehr's medical service," the two sides said in a joint statement.
Capabilities And Trial Objectives
Avilus says each Grille drone has an approximate range of 50 kilometres, a top speed of about 90 kilometres per hour and a payload capacity of up to 135 kilograms. The trials will evaluate the drones in realistic scenarios—assessing casualty pickup, safe patient handling, integration with field medical procedures and overall operational suitability.
The exercise is designed to identify limitations, refine tactics and training, and determine whether drone evacuations can speed casualty extraction while reducing risk to ground personnel in contested environments. Results from the trial will inform any future roll-out or further development.
Note: This is a controlled, limited trial with two platforms; wider deployment would depend on outcomes from these practical tests and additional evaluations.
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