34. Performance Drone Works (PDW) – United States
Performance Drone Works (PDW), an American company founded in 2018, has rapidly emerged as a key developer of high-performance, autonomous drones specifically tailored for mission-critical civilian and military applications.
Leveraging a background in high-performance drone racing, PDW has engineered rugged and adaptable unmanned aerial systems designed to excel even under the most demanding battlefield conditions.
Its focus is on delivering secure, reliable, and NDAA-compliant solutions that empower warfighters with advanced air support and intelligence capabilities.
PDW’s primary defense drone offering is the C100, a long-endurance, rucksack-packable multi-mission quadcopter.
This small UAS is designed for rapid deployment (under 10 minutes from pack to airborne) and can carry up to 10 pounds of payload, including military-grade electro-optical/infrared gimbals for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, as well as resupply kits and munitions.
The C100 is noted for its low audio signature, robust operation in harsh weather, and compliance with the US DoD’s Blue UAS program, integrating AES-256 encrypted datalinks for secure communication.
PDW also offers the AM-FPV, a modular, attritable multirotor first-person view drone for precise tactical missions, designed for rapid assembly and field repair, supporting both kinetic and ISR roles.
Complementing their hardware, PDW provides the PDW CORE ground control software suite and PDW SIM, a modular flight simulation platform for realistic UAS operator training, further enhancing their comprehensive offerings for defense.
