U.S. Drone Manufacturers Expand International Defense Sales as Nepal Orders SPIRIT

Robinson Unmanned’s contract to supply the Nepali Army adds to recent international orders for U.S.-made military drone systems.

Robinson Unmanned has announced a contract to supply its SPIRIT small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) to the Nepali Army. The agreement falls under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.

Ascent AeroSystems, Robinson Unmanned’s contracting entity for U.S. defense programs, received the firm-fixed-price contract through Naval Air Systems Command at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland.

The agreement covers SPIRIT aircraft, payload kits, spare parts, extended warranties, and operator training. The company did not disclose the contract’s value, number of aircraft, or delivery schedule.

The award expands Robinson Unmanned’s international defense business and adds to recent overseas orders for U.S.-manufactured drone systems.

Designed for Challenging Environments

The SPIRIT is a Blue UAS-cleared, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)-compliant Group 1 drone. Its cylindrical design features two sets of coaxial rotors and a modular architecture that supports different mission equipment.

According to Robinson Unmanned, the aircraft can operate at altitudes up to 14,600 feet above mean sea level. It can withstand winds exceeding 40 mph and temperatures ranging from -40°F to 130°F. Its IP56 rating provides protection against dust and water.

These features make the platform suitable for operations in mountainous regions and other demanding environments.

“For operators working in mountainous, remote and unpredictable environments, reliability isn’t optional,” said Paul Fermo, President of Robinson Unmanned.

“SPIRIT was designed to give operators a rugged aircraft they can depend on while retaining the flexibility to adapt payloads and capabilities as the mission changes. This award extends that capability to another international partner and reflects the growing role SPIRIT can play in supporting U.S. and partner-nation security objectives around the world.”

Modular Design Supports Multiple Missions

SPIRIT uses a Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA), allowing operators to integrate different sensors, communications equipment, and other mission-specific technology.

This approach allows military users to adapt the same aircraft platform for different requirements without purchasing a separate drone for each application.

The system’s Blue UAS clearance and NDAA compliance also support its use in U.S. defense and government programs.

Robinson Unmanned draws on Robinson Helicopter Company’s U.S. manufacturing operations and more than 50 years of aviation production experience.

U.S. Drone Manufacturers Secure International Orders

The Nepal contract follows other international defense orders for U.S.-made drone systems. In June 2026, Red Cat announced a contract to supply Black Widow drones to Japan’s Ministry of Defense. In August, AeroVironment announced a $51 million U.S. Army order that included Switchblade 600 systems for an unnamed international ally through the Foreign Military Sales program.

Together, these agreements provide recent examples of U.S. drone manufacturers securing international military customers, although they do not establish the scale of overall export growth.

For Robinson Unmanned, the Nepal contract extends the international reach of its SPIRIT platform through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales program.

“International operators are asking for many of the same things we hear from U.S. forces: systems that are reliable, adaptable, supportable and available when the mission demands them,” Fermo said.

“Our goal is to make proven U.S.-built capability accessible not only to American operators, but to partner nations that need reliable, mission-ready unmanned systems for real-world operations.”

Read more:

• From Drones to Helicopters: Robinson, Ascent Build a Scalable Autonomous Rotorcraft Ecosystem
• Robinson’s “Era of Both” Expands from Tactical Drones to Heavy-Lift UAS
• US Drone Makers Are Building a Different Kind of Factory