COVERED
COMPANIES

Zero Hour Group tracks emerging defense companies across the drone, counter-drone, and autonomous systems space, from micro cap defense stocks trading under a billion dollars to private names like Anduril raising at a $60 billion valuation. This is the working list: eleven companies, updated as coverage expands, with links through to interviews, earnings coverage, and company-specific research on each one. Counter drone stocks make up a growing share of this list. Ondas' Sentrycs and Iron Drone, Safe Pro's SpotlightAI, and the push toward NDAA drone stocks and domestic manufacturing all sit inside the same theme: defense budgets are shifting toward detecting and stopping someone else's drone, not just flying your own. Autonomous defense companies like Anduril and Performance Drone Works sit at the other end of that spectrum, building the software and hardware that let a system operate without a person at the controls.

Ondas Inc.
$ONDS Ondas Inc.
Drones · C-UAS · Autonomous Systems

Ondas Inc. is a drone and autonomous systems company building hardware, software, and services for national security and industrial applications. Current focus areas include counter-drone (C-UAS) technology, the Optimus autonomous drone-in-a-box platform, and a growing defense backlog backed by a $1B+ institutional capital raise. Nasdaq-listed.

Volatus Aerospace
$TAKOF Volatus Aerospace Corp.
Drones · Aerospace · Commercial UAS

Volatus Aerospace is a drone services and technology company offering commercial UAS solutions across inspection, surveillance, mapping, and logistics. Operating across North America with a focus on enterprise and government clients.

Kopin Corporation
$KOPN Kopin Corporation
Display Technology · Wearables · Defense

Kopin Corporation is a leading developer of advanced display systems and components for military, industrial, and consumer applications. Their high-resolution microdisplays and wearable computing solutions power next-generation heads-up displays and augmented reality systems used by defense forces worldwide.

Amprius Technologies
$AMPX Amprius Technologies
Energy Storage · Battery Technology · Defense

Amprius Technologies is an advanced battery technology company developing high-energy-density silicon anode lithium-ion batteries for defense, aerospace, and electric vehicle applications. Their proprietary technology aims to deliver significant improvements in energy density and cycle life over conventional battery solutions.

Unusual Machines
$UMAC Unusual Machines, Inc.
Drones · FPV Technology · U.S. Manufacturing

U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of NDAA-compliant drone components and FPV technology. Operates through Fat Shark (FPV goggles) and Rotor Riot (direct-to-consumer drone parts marketplace). Strategically positioned in the $5B U.S.-manufactured drone components market following FCC restrictions on foreign drones and components. Q1 2026 revenue up 296% year-over-year, with $220M+ cash and no debt. NYSE American-listed.

LightPath Technologies
$LPTH LightPath Technologies, Inc.
Optics · Infrared · Defense

Vertically integrated provider of next-generation optics and infrared imaging systems for defense and commercial applications. BlackDiamond chalcogenide glass is licensed exclusively from the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Positioned as a primary domestic alternative as the FY2026 NDAA mandates elimination of foreign optical systems by 2030. Record order backlog of $110.6M - up 196% year-over-year. Nasdaq-listed.

Lantronix
$LTRX Lantronix, Inc.
Edge AI · Industrial IoT · Drone Computing

Global leader in Edge AI and Industrial IoT solutions delivering intelligent computing, secure connectivity, and remote management for mission-critical applications. NDAA/TAA-compliant compute platforms serve as the AI backbone inside defense drone systems - with 17 drone OEM engagements as of Q1 FY2026. Partners include Teledyne/FLIR and Aerora. Nasdaq-listed.

Safe Pro Group
$SPAI Safe Pro Group, Inc.
AI · Explosive Threat Detection · Drones

AI-enabled security and defense company. SpotlightAI detects and labels 150+ types of explosive threats including landmines, cluster munitions, and UXO - processing over 1.88 million battlefield images and identifying 34,200 threats from operations in Ukraine. Selected for U.S. Army Futures Command CFWE-M 2026 and integrated into the U.S. Army's ATAK platform. Nasdaq-listed.

Palantir Technologies
$PLTR Palantir Technologies, Inc.
AI · Defense Software · Data Analytics

The AI operating system for the modern enterprise and Western defense apparatus. Core platforms include Gotham (defense intelligence), Foundry (enterprise data operations), AIP (agentic AI for operational decision-making), and Apollo (continuous delivery to the tactical edge). Awarded a $10B U.S. Army enterprise agreement in July 2025. Partnered with Ondas Inc. on the SkyWeaver autonomous combat-drone platform. NYSE-listed.

Anduril Industries
Private Anduril Industries, Inc.
Defense Tech · Autonomous Systems · AI

Software-first defense company founded in 2017 by Palmer Luckey. Lattice OS integrates sensors, drones, and weapons platforms into a unified command and control architecture. Estimated $2.1B revenue in 2025 (up 110% YoY), $60B+ valuation, $5B funding round closed May 2026. Won a 10-year $20B U.S. Army enterprise contract and the Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program for autonomous fighter jets. Private.

Performance Drone Works
Private Performance Drone Works
Tactical UAS · Defense Manufacturing · Autonomous Systems

Manufacturer of advanced robotic systems for front-line forces, founded by combat veterans and drone engineers. The C100 Tactical UAS is a modular, AI-enabled attritable quadcopter with a full-stack software suite including GPS-denied navigation and simulation training. $110M+ Series B raised March 2026. Drone Factory 01 spans 90,000 sq. ft. in Huntsville, AL. Investor in Ondas Inc.; strategic supplier relationship with Unusual Machines for NDAA-compliant components. Private.