Ondas Launches NDAA-Compliant Fiber-Optic Spools for Drones, Expanding Role in U.S. Defense

Fiber links add resilience as tethered drones gain traction in military operations

Ondas Holdings, through its subsidiary Apeiro, has announced the launch of new NDAA-compliant, Made in the USA fiber-optic spools for drone and robotic systems. The spools, described as “combat-proven” in the company’s release, are manufactured at Ondas’s American Robotics facility and are intended to address U.S. defense requirements for secure and resilient communications.

The announcement underscores growing interest in tethered and fiber-optic drones, a capability that is gaining attention for its ability to deliver continuous connectivity and protection against electronic warfare threats.

Fiber-Optic Drones in Context

Tethered drones equipped with fiber-optic links are reshaping battlefield operations. Unlike wireless systems, fiber tethers allow drones to transmit high-bandwidth video and data with minimal latency while operating in environments where radio signals are vulnerable to jamming or interception.

This approach also supports extended flight endurance, as power can be supplied through the tether. Use cases include persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), secure battlefield communications, and support for ground operations in contested environments.

Ondas’s new spools are designed to improve durability and integration, with manufacturing located in the United States to ensure NDAA compliance. According to the company, this makes them suitable for deployment across aerial and ground robotic platforms operating under U.S. and allied defense standards.

Ondas’s Position in the Defense Ecosystem

The fiber-optic spool launch is one of several moves positioning Ondas more firmly within the defense sector. Over the past year, the company has expanded its portfolio through acquisitions, contracts, and strategic partnerships:

• A $3.5 million order for ground robotics and payload systems highlighted Apeiro’s role in supporting defense customers.

• The Iron Drone Raider counter-UAS system secured a $2.7 million purchase order from a leading defense client.

• A strategic investment in Rift Dynamics included exclusive U.S. distribution rights for the Wåsp attritable drone platform.

• An agreement to acquire a majority stake in Smart Precision Optics extended capabilities into advanced electro-optical systems.

• A partnership with Mistral Inc. was established to accelerate U.S. defense and homeland security sales for Ondas platforms.

Leadership appointments have also reinforced this direction. Retired General Patrick Huston joined Ondas’s Advisory Board, bringing military and legal expertise, while Karl Eze, a technologist and British Army veteran, was named UK Strategic Advisor for Ondas Capital.

Implications for U.S. Defense

The addition of NDAA-compliant fiber-optic spools contributes to a broader trend toward sovereign, domestically produced components in the U.S. defense supply chain. As drones and robotic systems become more deeply integrated into military operations, fiber-optic tethering provides a secure and resilient communication channel suited for contested environments.

While challenges remain in scaling production and ensuring durability in field conditions, the technology highlights how tethered systems are expanding the options available to defense planners. Ondas’s move to bring fiber-optic spool production under its umbrella reflects ongoing efforts by U.S. companies to strengthen the defense industrial base and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Read more:

• Tethered and Unstoppable: How Fiber-Optic Drones Are Rewriting the Rules of Battlefield Control
• Ondas Invests in Norway’s Rift Dynamics to Bring Low-Cost Attritable Drone Systems to U.S. Defense Market
• Ondas’ American Robotics Secures FAA Waiver for Expanded Drone Operations