California-based ultra long range drone developer Kraus Hamdani Aerospace recently announced that its fully electric K1000ULE UAS has been added to both the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit Blue UAS Cleared List and the Blue UAS Select List, the government’s trusted roster of drones validated as secure, NDAA-compliant, and ready for immediate procurement. According to Kraus Hamdani, the K1000ULE is the longest-endurance, longest-range aircraft in its category, capable of sustained operations with minimal logistical footprint, no fuel, and rapid deployment from box to flight in around 10 minutes.
Independently assessed as cyber-resistant (without vulnerabilities) and carrying an Authority to Operate (ATO), the K1000ULE is built for contested and denied environments, with AI-driven mission capabilities and seamless integration across domains. As the Pentagon prioritizes rapid fielding of American-made, cyber-secure autonomous systems, this designation further enables U.S. forces to deploy without delays.
“This achievement validates the aircraft, and the complete autonomy and software stack behind it,” said Stefan Kraus, Co-founder and CTO of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. “It is secure, interoperable, and field-proven with the Army, Navy, MARSOC, and allied forces. We are ready to meet the DOD’s call for scalable operational autonomy today.”
Breaking Procurement Barriers
This designation delivers faster access to the K1000ULE, a TRL-9 operationally implemented system. It also reinforces the system’s value as a dual-use technology, with deployments in defense and commercial sectors, including the largest oil and gas pipeline monitoring contract. The system was further recognized with an APFIT contract from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, underscoring its maturity and value. This milestone aligns with the DoD’s Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance initiative, underscoring the urgency of getting next-generation technology to warfighters.
Endurance and Autonomy in a Long Range Drone
The K1000ULE is runway-independent and capable of carrying multiple payloads, supporting long-endurance operations. Its highly efficient, fully electric propulsion system operates with a silent acoustic signature. Its minimal logistical footprint and no fuel requirement allow sustained missions over extreme distances without redeployment.
Beyond endurance, it functions as an autonomous communications gateway providing sophisticated Aerial Tier Network Extension (ATNE) capabilities extending and bridging voice and data waveforms and Tactical Data Links, aligning with key frameworks such as JADC2 and Next Gen C2. It also delivers real-time decision support through KHAi, Kraus Hamdani Artificial Intelligence engine. These capabilities interconnect the battlefield, unify the Common Operating Picture, and ensure mission continuity in A2/AD environments.
More information about Kraus Hamdani Aerospace is available here.
About Kraus Hamdani Aerospace
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace builds AI-powered unmanned aerial technologies for the world’s most critical missions, when communications fail, infrastructure breaks down, and seconds matter. With proven deployments across military and commercial sectors, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace has supported the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, MARSOC, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, and global energy leaders. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Emeryville, California, the company operates worldwide.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
