U.S. based Red Cat continues to broaden its role in the tactical unmanned systems market with a focus on modular platforms and mission driven technology. In an interview with defensehere.com, Stan Nowak, Vice President of Marketing at Red Cat, shared insights into how the company develops drone systems that can meet the evolving needs of defense and security users.
Founded in 2016, Red Cat operates through two subsidiaries: Teal Drones in Utah and Flightwave Aerospace in California. The company designs compact UAVs for reconnaissance and support missions. Instead of building every component internally, Red Cat collaborates with partner companies to integrate capabilities such as AI powered target recognition, 3D mapping, and other mission specific tools into its systems.
Among the platforms currently in service is the Black Widow, a short-range reconnaissance drone chosen by the U.S. Army under its SRR program. The drone features a 35-minute flight time, a range of up to 8 kilometers, and a Teledyne FLIR payload for day and night thermal imaging. It also includes an electronic warfare-resistant communications system tested in contested environments. Its modular structure allows for quick field repairs, reducing downtime in operational settings.
Another key product is the Edge 130, developed by Flightwave Aerospace. This hybrid VTOL drone combines vertical takeoff with fixed-wing endurance, offering a one-hour flight time and a 20-kilometer range. It supports various payloads for mapping and ISR roles. Both systems are controlled through Red Cat’s Warfighter Electronic Bridge (WEB), which is being expanded to support other drones and ground based platforms.
Red Cat is also working with industry partners through its Futures Initiative, a collaboration network focused on areas such as maritime operations, swarming technology, and onboard AI.
These partnerships allow Red Cat’s drones to operate in multi-domain environments and be integrated with unmanned surface vessels, autonomous control systems, and advanced mission software.
For more information, you can watch the full interview with Stan Nowak: