U.S. Air Force Selects PDW’s C100 Drone to Enhance Multi-Mission Capabilities

American drone manufacturer Performance Drone Works (PDW) has achieved a major milestone by securing its first-ever contract with the U.S. Air Force for the company’s C100 multi-mission unmanned aerial system (UAS). The agreement was awarded by the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing (AGOW), based at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia, a formation known for supporting a broad spectrum of Air Force missions including close air support coordination, tactical control, and ground-air operations.

The deal marks a significant expansion of PDW’s footprint within the U.S. defense ecosystem, particularly as the military continues to modernize its small and tactical unmanned aircraft fleets. PDW, founded to design and produce advanced robotic systems for defense and government operations, has focused on delivering NDAA-compliant, secure, and modular aerial systems that can meet emerging mission needs. The company emphasizes collaborative development and innovation to ensure its systems remain flexible in dynamic operational environments.

PDW’s C100 drone is the company’s flagship Group 2 UAS, purpose-built for tactical versatility and ease of deployment. It has been engineered for high agility, durability, and endurance, capable of 74 minutes of continuous flight, speeds up to 40 miles per hour, and an operational range exceeding 10 kilometers. Designed with a modular payload bay, it supports a variety of mission profiles including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare (EW), and even kinetic operations. The system’s open architecture allows rapid payload swaps, enabling operators to adapt to changing threats or mission requirements in the field.

According to Ryan Gury, PDW’s co-founder and CEO, the U.S. Air Force’s growing demand for modular and rapidly deployable systems aligns perfectly with the capabilities of the C100 platform. “The Air Force is seeking advanced, modular solutions to fill a critical gap in rapidly deployable, multi-mission aerial platforms, and the C100 is designed exactly for that,” Gury said. “The 93rd AGOW’s operational diversity is a perfect match for the C100’s modular payload ecosystem and performance across a wide range of missions.”

The C100’s design reflects a strong focus on field adaptability and mission continuity. Built to IP54 environmental standards, it offers dust and moisture resistance, ensuring reliability even in harsh conditions. PDW also maintains a strict domestic supply chain and adheres to Blue UAS certification standards, reinforcing its compliance with U.S. defense security requirements. These features make the drone suitable for both domestic and forward-deployed operations.

PDW’s progress with the Air Force comes on the heels of its prior engagements with the U.S. Army, where the company participated in the Medium Range Reconnaissance (MRR) program and the Transformation in Contact Initiative. These Army projects focused on enhancing situational awareness and reconnaissance capabilities through modular, long-endurance drone systems. The addition of the Air Force contract demonstrates growing confidence across multiple branches of the U.S. military in PDW’s design philosophy and manufacturing quality.

The 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing, which manages several subordinate units specializing in combat support and air-ground integration, is seen as an ideal testbed for evaluating next-generation UAS technologies like the C100. The drone’s ability to shift from reconnaissance roles to kinetic or electronic warfare missions without requiring major reconfiguration gives operators a tactical edge in fast-changing operational environments.

PDW has also been expanding its production capacity to meet rising demand. In mid-2025, the company inaugurated a new 90,000-square-foot facility in Huntsville, Alabama, dubbed Drone Factory 01, dedicated to scaling up manufacturing for defense contracts. The facility is expected to serve as a cornerstone for PDW’s future contracts across U.S. military branches, supporting both production and R&D activities.

With this new Air Force partnership, PDW is positioning itself as a key player in the U.S. small drone sector at a time when the Department of Defense is emphasizing interoperability, secure supply chains, and technological agility. The Air Force’s focus on modular, multi-role drones reflects a broader strategic shift toward platforms that can rapidly adapt to diverse combat environments — from electronic warfare and communications relay to ISR and target acquisition.

PDW’s success with the C100 also signals growing competition among American small-UAS developers. As the Pentagon continues to prioritize domestic drone solutions under its “Blue UAS” initiative, companies like PDW, Skydio, and AeroVironment are emerging as leading contenders to replace foreign-built systems previously used for tactical operations.

The Air Force contract not only validates PDW’s technology but also underlines the growing need for flexible, field-ready drones capable of supporting multi-domain operations. As evaluation and deployment phases progress, the C100 could play a crucial role in strengthening the Air Force’s tactical capabilities across both homeland and overseas missions.