PAINTED POST, NY – Global demand for advanced defense systems is driving rapid growth at Evolved Aerospace, a company specializing in AI-enabled aircraft and mission systems. The company, founded and led by Mikael Taveniku, anticipates more than a tenfold increase in revenue in 2026, projecting approximately 65 million euros compared to an estimated 5 million euros in 2025.
Taveniku, a veteran of over 40 years in international defense programs, attributes the surge in interest to a shift in how militaries approach procurement. “Customers are demanding more complete solutions,” he said. “The focus is moving from individual products to cohesive systems that function effectively in real-world scenarios.”
Evolved Aerospace designs autonomous mission platforms, including the Muotse M200, M400, and SkyGhost systems, capable of adaptive flight, data fusion, and real-time coordination. These aircraft combine artificial intelligence, sensor fusion, and electronic warfare capabilities for operation in contested environments. The company emphasizes interoperability, enabling its systems to collaborate with both crewed and uncrewed aircraft, sharing data to enhance situational awareness.
The company’s approach centers on “mission systems” rather than “platforms,” addressing limitations in reach, persistence, and operational effectiveness inherent in traditional force design. According to Evolved Aerospace, this means focusing on the desired outcome first, then building the capability, and finally, the product. “AI, distributed systems, and mass production are fundamentally changing the equation,” Taveniku stated. “Our experience allows us to understand how different militaries operate and translate that knowledge into innovative solutions.”
Evolved Aerospace is also prioritizing structured processes and compliance as it scales. “When everyone wants what we build, we must be even clearer about where the boundaries lie,” Taveniku explained. “Our systems are extremely powerful, and we’ve adopted an international structure to meet diverse regulatory requirements and scale production efficiently.”
The company’s business model relies on volume to drive down costs and enable advanced manufacturing. Producing approximately 100 systems annually allows for cost reductions, automation for suppliers, and more favorable procurement terms for advanced sensors.
Evolved Aerospace employs 27 people, with plans to add approximately 100 more globally in 2026, according to LinkedIn data. The management team includes Mikael Taveniku as CEO and Founder, Marianna Taveniku as Chief Operating Officer, and Andrew Welles as Chief Engineer and CTO. The company has a research and development division in Linköping, Sweden, operating as Evolved Systems Scandinavia.
Trials of new systems are scheduled to begin in early 2026, according to a recent LinkedIn post by Evolved Aerospace.
