UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  

US Air Force awards $18m contract to Aevex for production of Group 3 one-way attack drones

The US Air Force has signed an $18 million contract with Aevex for the production of an undisclosed number and type of Group 3-sized one-way attack drones. The award expands USAF inventory into the rapidly growing one-way attack drone category as procurement shifts further toward expendable UAS.

Discovered 2026-05-14T13:23:50.008346-07:00 | 2026-05-14T13:23:50.008346-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The USAF’s move to fund production for Group 3 one-way attack drones signals accelerated fielding of expendable UAS at the inventory level, not just experimentation (SkyFoundry scaling).
  • The $18 million award to Aevex highlights an expanding industrial base and near-term capacity investments in one-way attack drone production—capabilities that can directly affect how quickly forces can replenish strike effects.
  • It adds to a broader USAF unmanned/attritable aircraft trajectory that includes flight-testing and program maturation for uncrewed combat concepts (USAF-designated loyal wingman prototype).

Reported By

aerospaceglobalnews.com defcrosnews.com FlightGlobal
Sources Tracked
3
First Seen
2026-05-14T13:23:50.008346-07:00
Latest Update
2026-05-19T08:13:07.777329-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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