OLÍN, Czech Republic — May 18, 2026 : U&C UAS, a Czech Republic-based drone manufacturer founded by Ukrainian defense industry specialists, has secured a contract to supply reconnaissance unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to U.S. Army units stationed in Europe, marking a significant step in the company’s expansion into NATO and international defense markets.
The agreement is being facilitated through ATP Gov, a U.S. government contractor serving as the intermediary between the manufacturer and the U.S. military. The systems will support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions for American forces operating across the European theater.
The contract follows a series of operational evaluations conducted during military exercises designed to simulate modern high-intensity warfare conditions. According to the company, U.S. Army representatives assessed the drone platform under demanding operational scenarios that included communications degradation, electronic warfare interference, and sustained operational tempos similar to real combat environments.
Following the evaluation process, U.S. military officials determined that the platform demonstrated strong reliability, operational efficiency, and stable performance during extended ISR missions. Evaluators noted that the system improved existing reconnaissance capabilities by providing persistent airborne surveillance and real-time intelligence transmission in contested environments.
David Jirman, Chief Commercial Officer of U&C UAS, confirmed the agreement and stated that the customer highly valued the company’s ability to deliver critical ISR capabilities.
“Our valued customer highly appreciated our ability to provide critical ISR capabilities, ensuring sustained surveillance and real-time data transmission to significantly enhance situational awareness,” Jirman said. “Our UAS system is a versatile reconnaissance tool and a reliable solution capable of meeting the stringent requirements of modern military missions.”
Neither U&C UAS nor ATP Gov disclosed the value of the contract, the number of systems ordered, delivery timelines, or the exact U.S. Army units and deployment locations involved. The company also did not publicly identify the drone model included in the agreement.
However, U&C UAS is primarily known for its Stork LR, also referred to as the Leleka-LR, an autonomous reconnaissance drone system designed for long-endurance ISR missions. The platform is equipped with encrypted digital communication systems and is engineered to maintain operations in electronically contested environments where GPS disruption and signal interference are common.
The agreement comes as the U.S. military continues expanding its ISR requirements across Europe following the deterioration of the regional security environment since February 2022. U.S. forces deployed in Poland, Romania, Germany, and the Baltic states maintain elevated readiness levels and increasingly rely on persistent airborne surveillance to support operational awareness and force protection missions.
Military reconnaissance drones are used to monitor border regions, observe troop and equipment movements, support base security, and provide early warning against emerging threats. Long-endurance ISR platforms also supplement larger unmanned systems by delivering continuous tactical intelligence in areas where satellite coverage may be limited or manned reconnaissance flights carry increased operational risk.
U&C UAS was established in July 2022 in the Czech Republic by co-owners of Ukrainian drone manufacturer DeViRo, one of Ukraine’s largest producers of military reconnaissance drones and the developer of the widely used Leleka-100 system. The company operates a manufacturing facility in Kolín and focuses on producing unmanned systems for NATO member states and international defense customers.
The company’s Ukrainian origins have provided direct operational experience in contested battlefield conditions heavily affected by electronic warfare and drone operations. According to the company, this experience has influenced the design, maintenance, and operational structure of its reconnaissance systems.
Manufacturing operations within the Czech Republic also ensure compliance with NATO industrial and interoperability standards. U&C UAS is registered under the NATO codification system with NCAGE code 8400G, allowing integration into allied military logistics and procurement frameworks.
ATP Gov, the U.S.-based contractor facilitating the procurement, specializes in unmanned systems and defense acquisition programs while maintaining compliance with applicable U.S. procurement regulations, including National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) requirements.
The U.S. Army agreement represents an important development in U&C UAS’s international export strategy. The contract follows a separate agreement signed in February 2026 with India’s TUNGA Aerospace Industries Private Limited involving UAV deliveries, training, and potential technology cooperation.
Together, the recent agreements highlight the company’s transition from a regional drone supplier into an emerging international provider of reconnaissance and ISR systems for allied military forces.
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