Drones / Counter-UAS

Where it stands

Each step compares the last four complete quarters with the two years before. A theme usually moves left to right: companies push, Congress and the White House act, the government buys, and markets respond.

1. 1. Companies pushing
   Rising

   217 companies and groups lobbied on it in Q2 2026, against 167 a year earlier.

2. 2. Congress
   Steady

   16 bills introduced and 0 became law in the last four quarters, against 15 and 0 a year before that.

3. 3. White House and agencies
   Rising

   4 proposed rules, 6 final rules and 1 presidential action in the last four quarters, against 8 a year before that.

4. 4. Government buying
   Rising

   595 purchase plans and award notices in the last four quarters, against 350 a year before that (records start October 2023).

5. 5. Markets
   Falling

   7 insider purchases in the theme's companies in the last four quarters, against 21 a year before that. Their stocks: -19% over the same year, against +14% for the S&P 500. Among the 50 largest holdings of the funds we track, these stocks were worth $2.8B at the end of Q1 2026, against $1.3B a year earlier; the figure moves with prices and with how many funds rank them that high.

The setup

The US government is rapidly expanding its drone capabilities and simultaneously building a domestic industry. This initiative, driven by the Department of Defense and a new Executive Order, focuses on both offensive loitering munitions and defensive counter-UAS systems. The most significant recent development is a presidential proclamation imposing substantial tariffs on imported drones to incentivize US manufacturing.

How this developed

1. Nov 13, 2024U.S. Special Operations Command awards MISTRAL INC $32.3M for loitering munitions and spares.Federal contract
2. Feb 11, 2025Department of the Navy awards ANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC. $94M for ALTIUS 600M-V loitering munitions.Federal contract
3. Jul 31, 2025Department of State awards ECHODYNE CORP $35.3M for counter-drone radars, technical support, and training.Federal contract
4. Oct 3, 2025Department of the Air Force awards AEROVIRONMENT, INC $49.2M for SUAS Hurricane Drones.Federal contract
5. Mar 9, 2026Department of the Army awards NAPATREE TECHNOLOGY LLC $265.3M for AS3 Surveyor Drones, Bumblebee V1/V2, and Hornets.Federal contract
6. Mar 16, 2026Department of the Army establishes a Basic Ordering Agreement with GRIFFON AEROSPACE, INC. for $77.7M for drones and components, citing an Executive Order on drone dominance.Federal contract
7. Jul 2, 2026Department of the Army awards AEROVIRONMENT, INC $80.5M for operational utility of counter-UAS systems for force protection.Federal contract
8. Aug 13, 2026Presidential Proclamation imposes 100% tariffs on imported UAS over 25kg and those with thermal imagers, and 25% on lighter UAS.Executive action

The full story, year by year

* Year to date. Lobbying is the most companies and groups naming the theme in any one quarter. Insider buys are officer and director open-market purchases in AVAV, KTOS, ONDS, RCAT, UMAC, PDYN. Fund holdings are the value of these companies among the top 50 positions of the funds whose 13F filings we track, at the latest quarter of each year. Stock returns are an equal-weight basket of the same companies with prices on file, split-adjusted, without dividends, against the S&P 500 over the same quarters.

• Lobbying before 2025 is still loading for this theme, so earlier years undercount.
• Lobbying reports for Q3 2026 are still being filed, so the comparison uses Q2 2026.

Why it matters

• The Department of Defense has committed over $550 million across multiple contracts since late 2024 for various drone systems, including loitering munitions and counter-UAS capabilities, indicating a significant procurement push.
• The August 2026 Presidential Proclamation imposes a 100% ad valorem tariff on heavy imported UAS and 25% on lighter ones, aiming to rapidly onshore drone manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign supply chains.
• The Department of the Army explicitly linked a $77.7 million contract with Griffon Aerospace (E6) to an Executive Order on "Unleashing America Drone Dominance," highlighting a top-down directive for domestic drone development.
• The contracts span both offensive (loitering munitions like ALTIUS 600M-V) and defensive (counter-drone radars, force protection systems) applications, showing a comprehensive strategy for drone integration and defense.

Companies exposed to this theme

The record · 8 items, oldest first

• Nov 13, 2024Federal contractMISTRAL INC: LOITERING MUNITIONS AND SPARES
• Feb 11, 2025Federal contractANDURIL INDUSTRIES, INC.: PRODUCTION AND DELIVERY OF ALTIUS 600M-V LOITERING MUNITIONS AND SUPPORTING HARDWARE
• Jul 31, 2025Federal contractECHODYNE CORP: COUNTER-DRONE RADARS, TECHNICAL SUPPORT, AND TRAINING.
• Oct 3, 2025Federal contractAEROVIRONMENT, INC: SUAS HURRICANE DRONES
• Mar 9, 2026Federal contractNAPATREE TECHNOLOGY LLC: PROCUREMENT OF SUPPLIES AND SERVICES FOR AS3 SURVEYOR DRONES, BUMBLEBEE V1, BUMBLEBEE V2, AND HORNETS.
• Mar 16, 2026Federal contractGRIFFON AEROSPACE, INC.: IN SUPPORT OF EXECUTIVE ORDER- UNLEASHING AMERICA DRONE DOMINANCE, THE ARMY CONTRACTING COMMAND-REDSTONE ARSENAL ESTABLISHES THIS BASIC ORDE
• Jul 2, 2026Federal contractAEROVIRONMENT, INC: THIS EFFORT IS FOCUSED ON PROVIDING OPERATIONAL UTILITY OF THESE SYSTEMS FOR USE BY DEPARTMENT OF WAR (DOW) PERSONNEL FOR FORCE PROTECTION,
• Aug 13, 2026Executive actionProclamation: Adjusting Imports of Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems Components into the United States

Some keyword matches were judged unrelated to this theme and are excluded from the record above.

How this story evolved

• Oct 16, 2026, 5:13 AM ETreal44 recordslatest record Oct 13, 2026

  DoD commits over $550M to drone procurement and counter-UAS, while a new EO imposes 100% tariffs on heavy foreign drones.

  The US government is rapidly expanding its drone capabilities and simultaneously building a domestic industry. This initiative, driven by the Department of Defense and a new Executive Order, focuses on both offensive loitering munitions and defensive counter-UAS systems. The most significant recent development is a presidential proclamation imposing substantial tariffs on imported drones to incentivize US manufacturing.

• Oct 15, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal110 recordslatest record Oct 13, 2026

  US imposes 100% tariffs on large UAS imports, while DoD rapidly procures unmanned aircraft and seeks counter-UAS solutions.

  The US government is aggressively expanding its unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) capabilities and simultaneously moving to secure its domestic supply chain. This push is driven by significant procurement contracts for both large and small UAS, alongside a new presidential proclamation imposing substantial tariffs on imported drones and components. The Department of Defense is also actively seeking advanced counter-UAS technologies and specialized payloads for small UAS platforms.

• Oct 14, 2026, 5:15 AM ETreal31 recordslatest record Oct 13, 2026

  DoD commits $3.4B to drone systems and support, while a new executive order imposes 100% tariffs on certain imported UAS.

  The US government is significantly increasing its investment in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS capabilities, driven by both defense needs and a push for domestic manufacturing. Over $3.4 billion has been committed to drone procurement and support services by the Department of Defense. Concurrently, a presidential proclamation has imposed substantial tariffs on imported drones, aiming to bolster US production.

• Oct 13, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal30 recordslatest record Oct 13, 2026

  DoD commits $3.4B to drone systems and logistics, while a new Executive Order imposes 100% tariffs on large imported UAS.

  The US government is significantly investing in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for defense and logistics, with over $3.4 billion in contracts awarded since May 2025. Concurrently, an August 2026 Executive Order signals a strong push towards domestic manufacturing by imposing substantial tariffs on imported drones and components. This dual approach aims to bolster both operational capabilities and the domestic industrial base for drone technology.

• Oct 12, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal30 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  DoD commits over $3.5B to drone systems and logistics, while a new Executive Order imposes tariffs to boost domestic UAS manufacturing.

  The US government is significantly investing in drone technology and counter-UAS capabilities, with over $3.5 billion in contracts awarded for procurement and logistics of unmanned aircraft systems. This push is complemented by legislative efforts to foster joint drone production with allies and an Executive Order designed to onshore drone manufacturing through tariffs. The actions indicate a strategic pivot towards enhancing both offensive and defensive drone capacities while securing the domestic supply chain.

• Oct 11, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal95 recordslatest record Oct 8, 2026

  DoD ramps up drone procurement and support, while a Presidential Proclamation imposes tariffs to boost domestic UAS manufacturing.

  The US government is significantly increasing its investment in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for various defense and international operations, alongside a strategic move to bolster domestic manufacturing. This push is evidenced by substantial procurement contracts and a presidential proclamation imposing tariffs on imported drones. The Department of Defense is actively seeking advanced capabilities and support services for its growing drone fleet.

• Oct 10, 2026, 5:13 AM ETreal30 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  DoD commits over $3.5B to drone systems and logistics, while a new Executive Order imposes tariffs to boost domestic UAS manufacturing.

  The US government is significantly investing in drone technology and counter-UAS capabilities, with over $3.5 billion in contracts awarded for procurement and logistics of unmanned aircraft systems. This push is complemented by legislative efforts to foster joint drone production with allies and an Executive Order designed to onshore drone manufacturing through tariffs. The actions indicate a strategic pivot towards enhancing both offensive and defensive drone capacities while securing the domestic supply chain.

• Oct 9, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal95 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  US Army accelerates drone procurement and counter-UAS development, while White House imposes tariffs on foreign drones.

  The US government is rapidly expanding its drone capabilities and simultaneously building out counter-UAS defenses, driven by recent geopolitical events. This dual focus is evident in significant Army procurement contracts for unmanned aircraft systems and a presidential proclamation imposing tariffs on foreign drones to bolster domestic manufacturing.

• Oct 8, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal95 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  DoD accelerates drone procurement and counter-UAS development, while a new proclamation imposes tariffs on imported UAS.

  The US government is rapidly advancing its capabilities in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and counter-UAS technologies, driven by both procurement and strategic development. This push is underscored by significant Department of Defense contracts for drone systems and a presidential proclamation imposing tariffs on imported UAS to bolster domestic manufacturing. The focus spans from tactical battlefield applications to advanced cyber operations and layered defense systems.

• Oct 7, 2026, 5:41 AM ETreal95 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  DoD accelerates drone procurement and counter-UAS development, while a new proclamation imposes tariffs on imported UAS.

  The US government is rapidly advancing its capabilities in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and counter-UAS technologies, driven by both procurement and strategic development. This push is underscored by significant Department of Defense contracts for drone systems and a presidential proclamation imposing tariffs on imported UAS to bolster domestic manufacturing. The focus spans from tactical battlefield applications to advanced cyber operations and layered defense systems.

• Oct 6, 2026, 5:14 AM ETreal296 recordslatest record Oct 6, 2026

  DoD commits $3.4B to drone systems and support, while a new EO imposes 100% tariffs on foreign UAS to boost domestic production.

  The US government is significantly investing in both offensive and defensive drone capabilities, committing billions to procurement and support for unmanned aircraft systems. Simultaneously, a new Executive Order aims to reshape the domestic drone manufacturing landscape by imposing substantial tariffs on imported UAS and components. This dual approach signals a strategic push for technological superiority and supply chain resilience in drone technology.

• Oct 5, 2026, 5:13 AM ETreal136 recordslatest record Oct 1, 2026

  DoD commits $3.4B to drone systems and logistics, while a new EO imposes tariffs to boost domestic UAS manufacturing.

  The US government is significantly investing in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and counter-UAS capabilities, with over $3.4 billion in contracts for drone procurement and logistics. This push is complemented by legislative efforts to foster joint drone production with Taiwan and an executive order designed to onshore UAS manufacturing through tariffs. The combined actions indicate a strategic pivot towards enhancing both offensive and defensive drone capacities, while simultaneously securing the domestic supply chain.