U.S. and international manufacturers invited to compete, with up to $250 million more budgeted for development and scaled production The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has launched a $100 million competition to identify low-cost intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft that can be produced and deployed at scale. The Low Cost ISR (LC-ISR) Challenge opened … [Read more...] about DIU Launches $100 Million Challenge for Low-Cost ISR Aircraft
Drone Investment
SiFly Raises $20 Million to Scale U.S. Production of Long-Endurance Drones
Series A funding will support Q12 manufacturing, customer deliveries, and development of the company’s DronePort system SiFly Aviation has raised $20 million in Series A funding to expand U.S. production of its long-endurance Q12 electric drone. Shield Capital led the financing round, with participation from Qudit, BBK Capital, Alumni Ventures, and other investors. SiFly … [Read more...] about SiFly Raises $20 Million to Scale U.S. Production of Long-Endurance Drones
WaiV Robotics Debuts Maritime VTOL Landing Pad with $7.5M Seed Round
The London-based maritime startup unveils a gyro-stabilized landing pad that recovers VTOL drones on vessels as small as 10 meters in high sea states. WaiV Robotics has launched the first fully automatic landing and takeoff platform for VTOL drones operating at sea. The London-based company introduced the system on May 5, 2026, backed by $7.5 million in seed funding. The … [Read more...] about WaiV Robotics Debuts Maritime VTOL Landing Pad with $7.5M Seed Round
Perceptual Robotics Raises Funding to Automate Wind Turbine Inspection Drones
Loggerhead Ventures leads the round with follow-on from One Planet Capital, fueling AI-powered drones for wind farm maintenance. Perceptual Robotics has secured fresh funding to scale its autonomous wind turbine inspection platform. Loggerhead Ventures led the round, with follow-on investment from One Planet Capital. The Thessaloniki-based company announced the deal on May 5, … [Read more...] about Perceptual Robotics Raises Funding to Automate Wind Turbine Inspection Drones
Dronamics Opens Japan Subsidiary, Names Asia Air Survey as First Japanese Investor
Dronamics has announced a strategic investment from Asia Air Survey Co., Ltd. (TSE: 9233). The company is also establishing a Japanese subsidiary, Dronamics Japan Holdings Co., Ltd. Asia Air Survey, investing through its Corporate Venture Capital arm, becomes the first Japanese investor in Dronamics. Black Swan Drone Targets Japan's Geospatial Sector Founded … [Read more...] about Dronamics Opens Japan Subsidiary, Names Asia Air Survey as First Japanese Investor
