U.S.-Built Drone Manufacturer Gains Ground with Military and Civil Customers Amid Push for Domestic Technology
WingXpand Grows Footprint with Military and Civil Contracts
St. Louis-based aerospace company WingXpand has announced the award of multiple new contracts with U.S. Special Operations, the Army, the Navy, and other civil customers. The deals mark a significant step for the American-built drone manufacturer as demand grows for secure, domestically produced drone systems.
The company’s recent wins come during a national push to reduce reliance on foreign-made drones. “This is about more than drones; We’re redefining who can access highly capable robotics, proudly built in America,” said James Barbieri, CEO and Co-Founder of WingXpand.
As part of these contracts, WingXpand will develop mission-specific payloads and continue building a flexible plug-in software stack. This software makes it easier for third parties to add autonomy, AI, and sensing tools to WingXpand’s aircraft. A recent integration with defense company Raytheon showed how the system can quickly adapt to new mission needs by working with both established and emerging partners.
Navy Contract and Civil Agency Approval Boost Market Reach
WingXpand has also landed its first Navy contract. The company will work alongside Ranken Technical College to support drone maintenance, train the workforce, and boost domestic manufacturing.
In addition, the State of Montana selected WingXpand as one of just six approved drone providers to serve its public safety and civil mission needs. The state’s decision reflects a growing shift among government agencies. Many are now moving away from foreign-made drones and seeking secure, U.S.-built alternatives.
More than a dozen U.S. states have taken action to evaluate or restrict foreign drone use. These steps align with the Department of Defense’s strategy to accelerate adoption of low-cost autonomous systems that are security compliant.
Making High-End Capabilities Accessible
WingXpand is also increasing its production capacity to meet growing demand. The company says this expansion will help lower the cost of high-performance drones, making them more available to unit-level teams across sectors.
WingXpand’s aircraft offer several features that set them apart. The smart planes are NDAA-compliant, secure, and designed for easy transport. They expand from a backpack, launch in under two minutes, and offer five times the range of typical quadcopters. Real-time onboard AI enables use cases such as threat detection, situational awareness, emergency response, and infrastructure inspection.
“We’re supporting frontline teams from soldiers to first responders with trusted, adaptable tools they’ve long needed,” said Barbieri.
About WingXpand
WingXpand designs and manufactures smart, American-built aircraft and AI software. Its systems are used in missions ranging from search and rescue to infrastructure inspection and national defense. Built for adaptability and scalability, WingXpand’s technology supports the people and organizations that keep the country running.
For more information, visit WingXpand.com.
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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.
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