Orqa U.S. Secured $38 Million Drone Contract
The company will expand domestic production of its MRM2 drone suite at a facility in Port Orange, Florida.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Orqa U.S. has received a $38 million contract for the Drone Dominance Gauntlet II program. This deal facilitates the domestic manufacturing of unmanned systems, specifically utilizing the MRM2 suite.
Why it matters
The contract supports the domestic production of compliant unmanned systems for the U.S. Government. This expansion builds upon the company's prior experience delivering drone technology for government initiatives.
The award is valued at $38 million, a significant increase over the $1.5 million awarded for 240 units in a previous project. The manufacturing will occur at a 180,000-square-foot facility in Port Orange, Florida.
The players
Orqa U.S.
This company provides drone technology and is actively expanding its domestic production capabilities for the U.S. government.
By Light
Based in McLean, Virginia, this organization supports manufacturing and compliance for complex defense and technology systems.
The details
Orqa U.S. provides the drone technology while By Light supports the manufacturing and compliance processes at their site. The program focuses on an 8-inch indoor drone belonging to the MRM2 suite, and Orqa U.S. was one of nine participants selected for the gauntlet.
Timeline
Orqa U.S. received the contract award on October 13, 2026.
Market Landscape
This move aligns with the broader push to localize the production of critical unmanned systems within the United States. By leveraging an existing facility in Port Orange, the project solidifies the company's position as a key supplier for government defense programs.
Local residents may see an increase in activity at the Port Orange facility as production scales up to meet government requirements. The expansion suggests stable employment opportunities for those with experience in specialized drone manufacturing.
The takeaway
This contract marks a major step in the ongoing efforts to localize defense manufacturing. Readers should monitor future announcements regarding domestic production capabilities for advanced technological hardware.
Further reading
For more on industry developments, visit the Manufacturing section.
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Should the U.S. government prioritize domestic manufacturing contracts for military technology over lower-cost international suppliers?
