Warfare Drone Makers
kalmar@kalmar
The idea
I think military budgets keep tilting toward drones, from cheap ones bought by the thousands to autonomous jets flying alongside piloted fighters. The core is pure drone makers, since they get the most out of each new order even though their prices swing hard, surrounded by bigger defense contractors with real drone programs for steadiness. I'm holding across several names rather than betting on one, keeping some cash on the side, and planning to hold for years as these budgets play out, watching for signs that spending shifts away from drones.
What will be bought
- These companies make mostly drones, so they gain the most when militaries order them by the thousands. · AeroVironmentMakes the Switchblade strike drone and small scout drones the Army buys in volume, offering direct exposure to bulk military drone procurement., Red Cat HoldingsMakes the small scout drone the Army selected for its short-range reconnaissance program, offering pure exposure to soldier-portable drone adoption., Ondas HoldingsBuilds autonomous drones including counter-drone systems and launched an AI company focused on military applications, betting on emerging drone technologies., AEVEX CorpMakes loitering munitions that circle battlefields before striking, the type of cheap, mass-produced drone weapon militaries are buying in volume., AIRO Group HoldingsSells small military drones and recently qualified for Canada's defence marketplace, gaining access to new government buyers for tactical drones., DraganflyBets on cheap first-person-view attack drones that have proven effective in recent conflicts, representing emerging low-cost drone warfare technologies., Swarmer IncMakes software enabling one operator to control multiple drones simultaneously, the essential technology if militaries truly deploy drones in mass quantities.35%
- Big, profitable contractors that build drones too, keeping the take steadier when small drone stocks swing. · L3Harris TechnologiesMakes the radios, sensors and anti-drone gear that every drone fleet requires, growing with the same budgets as the drones themselves., Elbit SystemsMakes the Hermes drones Israel has deployed in actual combat for years and exports worldwide, demonstrating sustained military demand for proven drone systems., Teledyne TechnologiesMakes the Black Hornet pocket-sized drone soldiers carry and the cameras that fly on many other drones, capturing growth in miniaturized military systems., TextronSupplies the Army's mid-size drones through Textron Systems, providing steady exposure to established Army drone procurement., Lockheed MartinThe largest US defense contractor bidding for robot wingman and drone work, providing steady anchor exposure if Pentagon spending shifts toward unmanned systems.33%
- Larger autonomous aircraft that fly with fighter jets are the next big drone budget line. · Kratos Defense & Security SolutionsBuilds the Valkyrie robot jet designed to fly alongside piloted fighters, representing the autonomous wingman segment of military drone budgets., Northrop GrummanBuilds large unmanned aircraft like the Global Hawk used for surveillance, providing steadier exposure to big drone programs across military branches., BoeingBuilds the MQ-25 refueling drone for the Navy and the Ghost Bat robot wingman with Australia, both targeting the drone-as-force-multiplier segment.20%
- Cash12%