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DEFEA 2025: MLT-LMS-Z5 New Autonomous Loitering Munition from Miltech Hellas Designed for High Intensity Combat.
At the DEFEA 2025 exhibition held in Athens from May 6 to 8, the Greek company Miltech Hellas presented the MLT-LMS-Z5, an autonomous loitering munition designed for high-intensity missions in contested environments. This kamikaze drone reflects a broader shift on the battlefield toward smarter lethal systems capable of operating autonomously, adapting to electronic threats, and being deployed in significant numbers at low cost.
A key feature of the MLT-LMS-Z5 is its ability to operate without GPS signals, thanks to an autonomous visual navigation module (Picture source: Army Recognition)
The MLT-LMS-Z5 is built to engage targets with high precision while minimizing reliance on human operators. It operates in both autonomous and semi-autonomous modes, enabling it to detect, track, and strike mobile targets without direct operator input, using embedded artificial intelligence algorithms. Its onboard visual recognition system processes video data in real time to identify and assess targets and determine optimal attack trajectories. This decision-making capability can be combined with a “man-in-the-loop” function, allowing human oversight at any time. Through a First Person View (FPV) link, an operator can interrupt, approve, or redirect the mission when needed, particularly in scenarios requiring positive identification to avoid collateral damage.
A key feature of the MLT-LMS-Z5 is its ability to operate without GPS signals, thanks to an autonomous visual navigation module. This system enables the drone to maintain its course and reach targets even under active jamming, providing operational resilience in electronic warfare conditions. Flight paths are further optimized by proprietary algorithms that adjust dynamically to terrain and weather, reducing energy consumption and enhancing stealth.
From a technical perspective, the drone delivers balanced performance for discreet and precise strikes. It offers 55 minutes of endurance, a 40-kilometer operational range, and can carry a 5-kilogram payload. It flies at altitudes between 200 and 700 meters, reaching a maximum speed of 150 km/h and cruising at around 90 km/h. These characteristics allow the MLT-LMS-Z5 to effectively strike both stationary and mobile targets in semi-urban, rural, or forested areas. It is designed for rapid deployment via a mobile multi-launcher platform paired with an advanced ground control station, making it suitable for maneuver units and autonomous detachments.
The drone can also be integrated into a broader command architecture, particularly alongside the ZEEL NET C2 system also introduced by Miltech Hellas at DEFEA. ZEEL NET consolidates data from various sensors and can identify high-priority targets in real time for engagement by loitering munitions like the Z5, creating an automated loop from intelligence collection to strike execution.
Through the dual presentation of the MLT-LMS-Z5 and ZEEL NET, Miltech Hellas highlights the Greek defense industry’s ability to develop integrated systems combining advanced technology with operational modularity. The development of the Z5 reflects Greece’s ambition to strengthen its strategic autonomy in intelligent weapon systems, while addressing increasing demand for GPS-independent kamikaze drones that are simple to produce. In an international context marked by the growing use of loitering munitions in conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Nagorno-Karabakh, the Z5 may appeal to armed forces seeking precise, resilient, and rapidly deployable strike capabilities. This trajectory also illustrates the evolution of the Greek defense sector, aiming to establish itself as a credible supplier of dual-use technologies and autonomous systems for modern operations.