Unclassified // open-source data on US defense tech // 14 NOV 2026
Drones
8 companies

Drone Companies in the United States

Uncrewed aircraft for reconnaissance, strike, logistics and electronic warfare, from FPV quadcopters to long-endurance fixed-wing systems. The Replicator initiative, launched by the Department of Defense (DoD) in 2023 to field thousands of attritable autonomous systems, and the lessons of Ukraine have pushed the services to buy drones in volume from US makers. Together they have disclosed $1.3B in funding, led by Skydio (~$672M). The newest round on record is Shield AI's Series H (Nov 2026).

US Army Puma UAS in flight over Grafenwoehr, Germany. Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Orion Magnuson, Public domain (PD-USGov-Military-Army).

Latest rounds

DateCompanyRoundAmountHQSector
Nov 2026Shield AI Series H$1BSan Diego, CADrones
Aug 2026Neros Technologies Series C$250MEl Segundo, CADrones
May 2026Darkhive Series B$30MSan Antonio, TXDrones
Apr 2026Skydio Series F$110MSan Mateo, CADrones
Apr 2026Firestorm Labs Series B$82MSan Diego, CADrones
Mar 2026Swarm Aero Series A$35MOxnard, CADrones
Mar 2026Performance Drone Works (PDW) Series B$110MHuntsville, ALDrones
Jan 2026Grid Aero Series A$20MSan Leandro, CADrones

All companies

Full directory

Shield AI

San Diego, California

Develops the Hivemind AI pilot and the V-BAT vertical takeoff drone, flying autonomously without GPS or communications for military reconnaissance and strike missions.

DronesSeries H / Nov 2026

Neros Technologies

El Segundo, California

Mass-produces low-cost Archer FPV strike drones and the Bandit interceptor with a vertically integrated, NDAA-compliant component stack.

DronesSeries C / Aug 2026

Darkhive

San Antonio, Texas

Makes small software-defined reconnaissance drones such as the REVENANT multirotor and autonomy software for short-range tactical missions.

DronesSeries B / May 2026

Skydio

San Mateo, California

Builds autonomous small drones such as the X10D for defense, public safety and infrastructure, with production at a factory in Hayward, California.

DronesSeries F / Apr 2026

Firestorm Labs

San Diego, California

Builds modular, 3D-printed military drones and xCell, a containerized factory that produces airframes near the front line.

DronesSeries B / Apr 2026

Swarm Aero

Oxnard, California

Builds large, long-range uncrewed aircraft for sensing and strike, with Legion software that lets one operator control many aircraft.

DronesSeries A / Mar 2026

Performance Drone Works (PDW)

Huntsville, Alabama

Designs and manufactures the C100 multi-mission quadcopter and FPV strike drones for the US Army at its Huntsville drone factory.

DronesSeries B / Mar 2026

Grid Aero

San Leandro, California

Builds Lifter Lite, a low-cost autonomous cargo aircraft that carries 2,000 to 10,000 pounds over thousands of miles for contested logistics.

DronesSeries A / Jan 2026

Questions

Who are the biggest drone companies in the US?

By disclosed funding among the companies we track: Shield AI, Skydio, Neros Technologies and Firestorm Labs, as of November 14, 2026.

How many drone companies are in the US?

Our directory lists 8 privately held US drones startups as of November 14, 2026. Large primes and public companies are not included.