Orqa U.S. Launches to Build American-Made Drones for National Defense

OAKLAND, CA – May 06, 2026 – A new player has entered the U.S. defense market with a clear mission: to supply the American military with secure, domestically produced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at scale. Today, Orqa U.S. LLC announced its official launch, an independent venture born from a strategic partnership between Croatian drone technology leader Orqa and U.S. defense contractor By Light Professional IT Services LLC.

The new entity, headquartered in Oakland, California, is positioned to address the Pentagon’s urgent need for trusted drone technology free from foreign adversarial influence. Production will be centered at a sprawling 180,000-square-foot facility in Port Orange, Florida, with the company committing to full compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and the American Security Drone Act (ASDA).

“For the past decade, Orqa has been building and refining UAS technology in the most demanding operational environments on earth. Our systems have been tested and validated under real combat conditions,” said Charles Phillips, Chief Executive Officer of Orqa U.S. “That experience has generated extraordinary demand from U.S. defense customers who want the same proven capability. The founding of Orqa U.S. is our answer to that demand: a fully American entity, built on American soil, creating jobs for American citizens, delivering world class UAS systems without compromise on security, compliance, or performance.”

Securing the Skies with a Domestic Supply Chain

The launch of Orqa U.S. arrives at a critical juncture for U.S. national security. Recent legislation, including the ASDA, has moved to prohibit federal agencies from procuring or operating drones manufactured by entities in China and other designated countries, with a full cessation of operations for such systems mandated by late 2025. These regulations stem from deep-seated concerns over cybersecurity vulnerabilities and supply chain integrity.

Orqa U.S. is purpose-built to navigate this stringent regulatory landscape. The company aims to secure a coveted spot on the Department of Defense's Blue UAS Cleared List, a roster of approved drones that have undergone rigorous cybersecurity vetting and supply chain verification. Achieving this certification requires not only compliance with NDAA prohibitions on components from restricted nations but also a demonstrated commitment to secure manufacturing and data handling, a capability bolstered by partner By Light's expertise in Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance.

The parent company, Orqa, has built its reputation on a vertically integrated production model that it claims is immune to geopolitical tensions, with all key components designed and engineered in-house without Chinese parts. This philosophy is central to the Orqa U.S. strategy, which promises a fully U.S.-onshored supply chain, from design and engineering to final assembly, ensuring technological sovereignty for its government customers.

From European Battlefields to a Florida Factory

A key differentiator for Orqa U.S. is its access to technology described as “battle-tested.” The parent company’s First-Person View (FPV) drones have been widely utilized on the battlefields of Ukraine, providing invaluable real-world data on performance, resilience, and tactical application in modern conflict. This experience has directly informed the design and engineering of the systems now being brought to the U.S. market.

This combat-proven intellectual property will be transferred and adapted for production at the By Light facility in Port Orange, Florida. This large-scale manufacturing hub is equipped with dedicated UAS assembly lines, on-site CNC machining, composites fabrication, and certified quality control processes. Its designation as a Port of Entry with on-site customs capabilities is expected to streamline logistics and accelerate delivery timelines. Orqa U.S. is targeting full-rate production capacity at the facility by October 2026, a move that promises to create American jobs and strengthen the domestic defense industrial base.

The venture represents a significant transfer of technology from a European ally, leveraging hard-won battlefield innovations to meet the specific requirements of the U.S. warfighter. By localizing production, Orqa U.S. aims to combine this advanced, proven technology with the scale and security of American manufacturing.

Targeting the Pentagon's 'Drone Dominance' Program

The timing of the company's launch aligns perfectly with a major shift in Pentagon procurement strategy. Orqa U.S. is explicitly targeting new Department of War (DOW) initiatives like the ambitious 'Drone Dominance Program.' This program signals a move away from expensive, exquisite platforms towards the mass acquisition of low-cost, attritable drones that can be deployed in large numbers.

The DOW has outlined an iterative, billion-dollar plan to purchase hundreds of thousands of small, lethal drones over the next few years. The program utilizes competitive evaluation events to rapidly identify and field commercial systems, aiming to arm combat units quickly while driving down costs. Orqa U.S. is entering a competitive but burgeoning market, with established Blue UAS vendors like Skydio, Teal Drones, and Anduril also vying for these contracts.

By focusing on scalable production of systems validated in conflict, Orqa U.S. is well-positioned to meet the program’s core objectives. The venture’s structure—combining Orqa's agile, combat-proven technology with By Light's robust defense manufacturing and compliance infrastructure—appears tailor-made for this new era of rapid, high-volume defense acquisition. With a board composed solely of U.S. citizens and a clear mandate as the sole provider of Orqa technology to the U.S. government, the company is structured to move at the speed of operational requirements.