Partnership adds Wåsp platform to Ondas Autonomous Systems portfolio amid rising demand for scalable defense drones
Strategic Move Expands Ondas’ Defense Portfolio
Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) has announced a strategic investment in Norwegian defense technology company Rift Dynamics AS. The deal gives Ondas’ subsidiary, American Robotics, exclusive rights to distribute Rift’s Wåsp platform to the U.S. defense market. The move comes as the Department of Defense seeks rapid solutions to replenish drone stockpiles and meet new operational demands.
Eric Brock, CEO of Ondas Holdings, said, “Rift’s mission to deliver high-performance, low-cost attritable drone systems at scale for the European Union and NATO aligns perfectly with the global demand for affordable, operationally effective platforms. We’re proud to support this effort and bring these capabilities to the U.S. defense market. Knut Roar Wiig and the team at Rift have built an exceptional platform in the Wåsp, engineered for scale, reliability, and mission impact. We look forward to supporting Rift’s growth and helping deliver this critical capability to our defense partners in the United States.”
The Wåsp: A Scalable, Combat-Ready Multicopter
The Wåsp is a multirole loitering strike platform designed for attritable applications. It supports modular payloads, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) missions, and advanced autonomy. Built to NATO interoperability standards, EASA C2, and Military Open 1A compliance, the Wåsp has been tested by the Norwegian Army and is in service with customers such as European ammunition provider Nammo.
Rift has developed a European-based, NDAA-compliant supply chain that avoids Chinese components. This production model enables the company to manufacture over 20,000 units per month across three international sites, with delivery possible within six months of order. American Robotics has placed an initial order for 500 units for U.S. defense and security customers.
Knut Roar Wiig, CEO of Rift Dynamics, stated, “We developed the Wåsp to meet the critical operational requirements of European defense and security forces by delivering an affordable, high-performance, and scalable drone system. Alongside the platform, we’ve built a resilient and scalable supply chain across Europe to ensure rapid availability at volume. With Ondas and American Robotics as partners, we’re now positioned to bring this capability to new markets and allied defense customers.”
Meeting a Growing U.S. Demand for Attritable Drones
This investment comes at a time of rising urgency in the U.S. defense sector. Washington’s recent legislative initiatives are encouraging domestic drone manufacturing, particularly for attritable systems—low-cost platforms designed for high-risk missions where loss is acceptable. The DoD’s urgent need to replenish stockpiles, following heavy drone use in Ukraine, has created what some industry observers describe as a “rare opening” for scaled production.
Ondas’ stock has surged in recent months, climbing from $0.77 on May 12 to $4.17 on August 8—a 440% increase—reflecting investor confidence in its growth potential. By adding the Wåsp to its existing portfolio, which includes the Optimus automated aerial security system and the Iron Drone Raider counter-UAS platform, Ondas is positioned to offer a layered defense solution that addresses both domestic and allied military requirements.
Next Steps and U.S. Market Rollout
Through the exclusive distribution agreement, American Robotics will bring the Wåsp to U.S. defense programs and expects initial deliveries to begin in October. The platform’s rapid scalability, compliance with U.S. defense standards, and ability to be integrated into layered defense strategies could make it a strong contender in upcoming procurement efforts.
Ondas CEO Eric Brock is expected to join the Rift Dynamics Board of Directors once the investment and partnership agreements are finalized. The companies say the collaboration will also allow them to localize Rift’s European-developed technology for U.S. production, further strengthening domestic supply chain resilience.
Read more:
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.
