First Breach Completes First Drone Flight as Company Begins Nasdaq Trading

Maryland defense manufacturer targets large-scale U.S. production of two attritable drone platforms beginning in 2027

First Breach Inc. has completed the first flight of a proprietary drone prototype, marking a step in the company’s expansion from ammunition manufacturing into unmanned aircraft systems. The milestone comes days after First Breach began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol FBDT.

The Hagerstown, Maryland-based company announced its Nasdaq listing on August 20. Five days later, it reported the first flight of its drone prototype and outlined plans to scale domestic drone manufacturing.

First Breach says it plans to complete initial drone prototypes in the fourth quarter of 2026. The company expects to begin scaling production in the second quarter of 2027, with a target capacity of more than 2,500 drones per week. That target remains forward-looking and depends on the company successfully expanding its manufacturing operations.

“Successfully completing our first flight of our drone prototype marks an important step in expanding First Breach beyond ammunition and into American-made unmanned aerial systems,” said Jeffrey Low, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of First Breach. “By owning the technology and manufacturing domestically, we are building a scalable platform to support the evolving needs of defense and government customers.”

Two Class 1 Attritable Drone Platforms

First Breach is working with Pittsburgh-based engineering and manufacturing company Hellbender, Inc. on two Class 1 attritable drone platforms. One is designed as a compact, close-quarters system, while the other is intended for longer-range operations.

First Breach owns the platforms and associated intellectual property and plans to control manufacturing and commercialization. Hellbender provides engineering, design, technical support, and component manufacturing.

The companies are developing the two aircraft around common components. According to First Breach, this approach should simplify the supply chain, support scalable assembly and allow different mission configurations.

First Breach disclosed its agreement with Hellbender in an SEC filing earlier this year. The filing describes the program as covering two Class 1 attritable first-person-view drone platforms targeted for deployment consistent with U.S. National Defense Authorization Act requirements and Department of Defense Drone Dominance Program parameters.

“With the first flight complete, our focus is on finishing the prototyping iterations, scaling the manufacturing infrastructure, and refining our automated production capabilities needed to begin scaling in the second quarter of 2027,” said Jordan Low, Co-Founder, President and Chief Operating Officer of First Breach. “Hellbender’s expertise supports that effort as we work toward our targeted production capacity.”

Building on an Existing U.S. Manufacturing Base

First Breach enters the drone market from an established manufacturing business focused primarily on ammunition and ammunition components.

The company operates approximately 80,000 square feet of ammunition manufacturing space at its Hagerstown facility. It says another 200,000-plus contiguous square feet can support drone production, robotic assembly, automated logistics, and additional ammunition manufacturing.

First Breach describes its strategy as a vertically integrated U.S. manufacturing model. Its existing operations include production of brass cups, casings, projectiles, lead cores, lead wire, and completed ammunition.

The drone program extends that manufacturing strategy into a market where U.S. policymakers and defense agencies have placed growing emphasis on domestic production and secure supply chains.

The company says it is adding manufacturing lines and equipment intended to increase production through robotics. Hellbender brings additional expertise in areas including computer vision, electronics, sensor integration, robotic manufacturing, and production testing.

Nasdaq Listing Supports Broader Expansion Strategy

First Breach began trading on Nasdaq on August 20 following the effectiveness of its registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SEC records identify First Breach as a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices in Hagerstown.

“Beginning trading on Nasdaq represents a defining milestone in First Breach’s history,” said Jeffrey Low. “This listing reflects years of investment in building an American manufacturing platform designed to support critical defense and security markets. As demand continues to grow for domestically manufactured ammunition components, finished ammunition, and advanced unmanned systems, we believe First Breach is well positioned to capitalize on these long-term industry trends.”

For the drone industry, the more significant development may be what First Breach plans to build with that manufacturing base. The company is moving from prototype flight toward two domestically manufactured attritable UAS platforms while developing the automated production capacity needed to manufacture them at much higher volumes.

The next milestones will include completion of the initial prototypes, further development and testing, and the planned start of production scaling in the second quarter of 2027.

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