The inaugural Innovation Vanguard Awards’ winners were announced at an Awards ceremony at XPONENTIAL 2025 in Houston.
Across all categories, we received a remarkable number of high-quality submissions from companies and teams pushing the limits of what unmanned and autonomous systems can achieve. The field was exceptionally competitive, reflecting the pace of innovation sweeping through our industry.
Innovation in Technology and Components
These awards recognize the foundational technologies—power systems, payloads, data, and defensive capabilities—that make unmanned systems reliable, powerful, and resilient.
Top Innovation in Power Systems – InnEngine
Innovator in Payload Technology – Riegl
Top Data Processing and Analytics – Real Time Innovations (RTI)
Drone Hardware Design – A2Z Drone Delivery
Excellence in Counter Drone Technology – Dedrone by Axon
Mission-Driven Deployment and Impact
These awards spotlight operational effectiveness—how these systems are making a difference in emergency response, public safety, and scaled field deployment.
Best Use for Emergency Response – Deep Trekker
Best Unmanned System for Security – TEKEVER
Best Deployment of Autonomous Systems – Zipline
Vision, Values, and Emerging Leadership
This section celebrates those driving change—not only through innovation, but through leadership, collaboration, and a clear-eyed view of the future.
Pioneer in Drone Safety and Compliance – Embention
Industry Collaboration of the Year – Neya Systems and AUVSI
This third section celebrates those driving change—not only through innovation, but through leadership, collaboration, and a clear-eyed view of the future.
Sustainability Leadership – NOAA
Best Startup – Skyline Nav AI
Platform Excellence
Platform Awards recognizing excellence in air and maritime systems that continue to redefine unmanned operations worldwide.
Small UAS of the Year – Commercial – Black Swift Technologies
Medium UAS of the Year – Commercial – Zipline
Medium UAS of the Year – Defense – TEKEVER
USV of the Year – SubUAS
UUV of the Year – Advanced Navigation
Lifetime Achievement Award
This recognition goes to an individual whose body of work has made a lasting contribution to the advancement of unmanned systems and autonomy—someone who has not only pushed boundaries, but helped build the very foundation of this field.
Lifetime Achievement Award – Joe Hutton of Trimble | Applanix
