US chooses AEVEX to supply scalable attack drones for contested environments

A US defense technology company specializing in autonomous unmanned systems has secured a $41 million award to deliver one-way attack systems to American government customers. California-based AEVEX Corp., which develops precision-strike drones, autonomous navigation technology and airborne intelligence systems, announced the award on Thursday. The company did not identify the customer, selected platform, number of systems or delivery schedule. Systems designed for contested environments AEVEX develops autonomous aircraft for precision strikes, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its systems combine modular payloads with navigation technologies designed to maintain operation when conventional GPS signals are unavailable or disrupted. “Our customers rely on AEVEX to provide precision-driven systems that can be fielded rapidly and perform reliably in complex operational conditions,” said Roger Wells, Chief Executive Officer at AEVEX. “This award reinforces that trust. Our one-way attack capability has been shaped by real-world missions, and we remain committed to delivering what the warfighter needs, when they need it, at scale,” he added. The company has not confirmed whether the award covers an existing aircraft, a modified platform or a combination of systems. Its publicly disclosed precision-strike portfolio nevertheless provides an indication of the technologies available to US customers. One of its smaller systems is Atlas, a Group II autonomous strike aircraft capable of loitering for more than 70 minutes. According to AEVEX’s published specifications, Atlas has a range exceeding 130 kilometers, cruises at 65 knots and can reach a dash speed above 80 knots. The 36.5-pound (16.6 kg) aircraft carries a payload of up to 7.6 pounds (3.4 kg), with fragmentation, penetrator and optional ISR configurations available. It also incorporates mesh communications, hardened satellite navigation, visual navigation and alternative positioning, navigation and timing systems. Long-range aircraft can fly for 14 hours At the heavier end of the company’s portfolio is Disruptor, a Group III unmanned aircraft developed for long-range strike, surveillance and electronic warfare operations. The system has a stated endurance of more than 14 hours and a range of 1,400 kilometers. It measures 3.06 meters long, has a 4.8-meter wingspan and reaches a maximum takeoff weight of 184.9 pounds (83.9 kg). Its modular payload capacity is 49.8 pounds (22.6 kg), according to the company’s product page. Another Group III platform, Raker, can remain airborne for 16 hours and travel more than 621 miles (1,000 km). It carries a payload of up to 67 pounds (30.4 kg), the largest published capacity among the company’s currently advertised fixed-wing systems. The aircraft can be configured with ISR sensors, communication relays and precision-effect payloads. AEVEX expands drone production The contract follows an $18.5 million US Air Force order announced in May 2026 for autonomous aircraft intended for one-way attack missions. That order involved additively manufactured Group III systems, although AEVEX withheld the platform’s identity. AEVEX has been expanding its production infrastructure to meet demand for unmanned aircraft. Its Tampa facility is designed to manufacture approximately 450 aircraft a month across one-and-a-half shifts, with the potential to reach 1,000 aircraft monthly across three shifts.The company said it is also investing in production throughput, mission autonomy and field-focused engineering to support US and allied operational requirements.Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Atharva is a full-time content writer with a post-graduate degree in media & amp; entertainment and a graduate degree in electronics & telecommunications. He has written in the sports and technology domains respectively. In his leisure time, Atharva loves learning about digital marketing and watching soccer matches. His main goal behind joining Interesting Engineering is to learn more about how the recent technological advancements are helping human beings on both societal and individual levels in their daily lives.