The US Air Force has awarded AEVEX Aerospace an $18.5 million contract to supply tactical one-way attack drones built with advanced 3D-printing technology.
The project highlights the Pentagon’s growing focus on low-cost, quickly produced, and deployable autonomous strike systems.
The contract also strengthens the role of additive manufacturing in modern military drone production.
The agreement includes aircraft production, field support, and technical assistance for military units using the systems. AEVEX said the project will rely heavily on additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing.
This process allows drone parts to be produced faster and at a lower cost than traditional manufacturing methods. The company said the approach also supports rapid deployment during military operations.
The drones fall under the military’s Group 3 unmanned aerial system category. These aircraft weigh less than 1,320 pounds and operate below 18,000 feet. They also fly at speeds below 250 knots, which equals around 289 miles per hour.
The company did not confirm which exact drone model will be delivered under the contract. AEVEX currently produces several Group 3 systems, including the Raker, Onyx, Dominator, and Disruptor platforms. Some of these aircraft can travel up to 756 nautical miles, or about 870 miles.
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AEVEX said the selected platform was built with affordability and mission flexibility as key priorities. The drones can carry different payloads depending on operational needs. The company also designed the systems to simplify manufacturing and maintenance.
Pentagon Pushes Low-Cost Combat Drones
One-way attack drones are becoming a major part of modern warfare strategies. These systems combine features of missiles and unmanned aircraft because they are designed to strike targets without returning to base. Military planners value them because they are cheaper than many traditional weapons systems.
The Pentagon has expanded its investment in loitering munitions over the past several years. These drones can stay in the air for extended periods before attacking a target. Their lower production cost also allows military forces to deploy them in larger numbers.
The US military recently created its first squadron dedicated to one-way attack drones. The unit operates the LUCAS system, which evolved from the FLM 136 drone developed by Arizona-based SpektreWorks. The drone was originally designed as a low-cost target aircraft modeled after Iran’s Shahed-136 drone.
The FLM 136 later developed into a strike platform capable of carrying a larger warhead than a Hellfire missile. It also maintains a flight range of roughly 500 miles. US forces have already deployed LUCAS systems in the Middle East during joint operations earlier this year.
Russia has also increased production of its Shahed-based Geran-2 drones during the war in Ukraine. The growing use of these systems by multiple countries shows how low-cost autonomous aircraft are changing military operations worldwide. Defense experts now view them as essential tools in modern combat environments.
AEVEX Expands Attack Drone Program
AEVEX has already worked with several US defense programs focused on unmanned systems. The company provides drone manufacturing, maintenance, training, and operational support services. It also operates a large engineering and production network across several American states.
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The contract work will be supported by facilities in Alabama, California, Florida, Ohio, and Virginia. AEVEX also uses a 100,000-square-foot production site dedicated to the assembly of autonomous systems. More than 150 employees currently support the company’s drone manufacturing operations.
The company previously developed the Phoenix Ghost loitering munition used by Ukrainian forces during the war against Russia. The system gained attention because of its ability to conduct precision attacks against ground targets. The Pentagon supplied several units to Ukraine as part of military aid packages.
AEVEX also produces the Atlas Group 2 kamikaze drone for the US Army. The Army selected the platform for its Launched Effects Short Range program, which focuses on portable attack drones for battlefield operations. These programs have helped expand the company’s role in the growing military drone market.
AEVEX CEO Roger Wells said the company remains focused on delivering reliable mission-ready systems for the Air Force.
He added that the company is committed to ensuring high-quality capabilities reach military operators quickly. The latest contract further positions AEVEX as a key supplier in the Pentagon’s expanding autonomous warfare strategy.
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The deal also reflects a broader shift toward faster and more affordable military technologies. As global conflicts continue to increase demand for autonomous strike systems, defense companies are racing to improve production speed and operational flexibility.
The success of programs like this could shape how future combat drones are built, deployed, and used across modern battlefields.
