AIRO Group Wins U.S. Government Drone Order

AIRO Group Holdings announced Monday that the U.S. government has ordered a new tranche of its unmanned aerial systems.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Military

Isometric editorial illustration of a compact fixed-wing drone beside an open transport case on a plain slate launch plate against a cream field. — AIRO Group Holdings said Monday the U.S. government has placed a new order for its unmanned aerial systems, without disclosing the awarding agency or contract value. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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AIRO Group Holdings, based in McLean, Virginia, announced Monday that the U.S. government has ordered a new tranche of its unmanned aerial systems. The company has not indicated which agency awarded the contract, nor disclosed its financial value or the number of aircraft to be delivered.

Why it matters

The order adds to a growing body of government demand for domestically compliant drones, as the Pentagon works to field large numbers of unmanned systems. AIRO's RQ-35 has also been adopted by several NATO members, extending the company's reach beyond U.S. buyers.

The announcement is a company statement, with no contract value or unit count released. The RQ-35 is rated for a 50 km (31 mile) line-of-sight range and up to 150 minutes of flight, while the Pentagon's estimated active drone inventory is 11,000 to 16,000 aircraft.

The players

AIRO Group Holdings

A McLean, Virginia-based drone company whose RQ-35 system is sold to U.S. and allied militaries through its Danish subsidiary, Sky-Watch A/S.

NATO Support and Procurement Agency

The NATO agency that selected Sky-Watch under a framework agreement to supply unmanned aerial systems to alliance members.

The details

The RQ-35 can be hand-launched by a single operator, recovered by a high-precision deep stall landing, and packed into a backpack or transport case. It was placed on the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS List in July, which certifies drones as compliant with NDAA Section 848 and the American Security Drone Act.

July: RQ-35 placed on the DCMA Blue UAS List.
Last month: NATO's NSPA selected Sky-Watch under a framework agreement.
Monday: AIRO announced the U.S. government drone sale.

Big Picture

The RQ-35's July placement on the Defense Contract Management Agency's Blue UAS List preceded this order, reflecting the program's role in restricting government drone purchases to vetted, non-Chinese platforms. The order continues a pattern of U.S. and allied militaries favoring certified domestic and allied drone makers.

For U.S. taxpayers, the order represents federal defense spending on unmanned systems, though the contract value has not been disclosed. The Blue UAS certification means the government can buy the RQ-35 without the restrictions placed on high-risk foreign-made drones.

The takeaway

Government buyers are increasingly screening drone suppliers against compliance lists, which can determine which companies win orders. Readers tracking defense spending should watch for the contract's value and awarding agency once they are disclosed.