Strategic Alliance: Red Cat and ESAero Join Forces for black Widow sUAS Production

Red Cat Holdings has formed a strategic alliance with aerospace manufacturing expert Empirical Systems Aerospace, Inc. (ESAero) to enhance the certified production capabilities of the Black Widow™ small unmanned aerial system (sUAS), developed by its subsidiary, Teal Drones.

Boosting Production Capacity for Military contracts

This partnership aims to considerably increase manufacturing output and engineering services as Red Cat ramps up production to meet U.S. Army contracts and the rising demand for Teal’s Black Widow sUAS and its components.

Designed for Tactical Excellence

The Black Widow drone is specifically engineered for Short-Range Reconnaissance (SRR) missions, providing military personnel with improved situational awareness, autonomous functionality, and robust performance in challenging environments. Recently, it was selected for the U.S. Army’s SRR Programme of Record contract, underscoring its effectiveness in defense operations.

Commitment to Quality standards

To adhere to the rigorous manufacturing and quality standards required by military and aerospace sectors, Red Cat has engaged ESAero to deliver AS9100-certified manufacturing services. This internationally recognized standard serves as a benchmark for quality management systems in the aerospace industry.

CEO Insights on the Partnership

“As we increase production of the Black Widow to fulfill our SRR contracts and address the growing needs of both U.S. and international clients, securing high-quality, aerospace-certified manufacturing capacity is essential,” stated Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat.

“ESAero’s advanced facilities and extensive engineering expertise make them an ideal collaborator for Red Cat. This partnership enhances our ability to scale manufacturing, prioritize continuous improvement, and deliver mission-ready sUAS platforms to the warfighters who rely on them.”

ESAero’s Manufacturing Capabilities

Located in San Luis Obispo, California, ESAero operates several vertically integrated manufacturing facilities with robust supply chains, specifically designed for the large-scale production of Group I–III UAS. Over the past 18 months, ESAero has supported the Teal 2 and Black Widow platforms through engineering and subsystem development, leading to the expanded partnership announced today.

Strengthening Collaborative Efforts

“Our collaboration with Red Cat over the past year and a half has been fruitful, supporting various developments, including the Teal 2 and Black Widow,” remarked Andrew Gibson, President, CEO, and Co-Founder of ESAero.

“During this period, we have made substantial investments in our manufacturing capabilities for producing Group I – III UAS at scale, which we are excited to now extend to Red Cat and teal. we beleive this partnership will effectively meet the production demands of their customers and the warfighter.”

Streamlining Defense Procurement

ESAero’s production model is tailored to deliver aerospace-grade systems within tight timelines, aligning with the fast-paced requirements of modern defense procurement programs. Through this collaboration, Red Cat aims to expedite the delivery of its Made-in-America sUAS platforms, reinforcing its commitment to operational readiness and resilience in the industrial base.

Building a Stronger Industrial Base

Both Red Cat and ESAero acknowledge the significance of robust partnerships within America’s industrial base to address the critical production needs of the warfighter.by merging Teal’s innovative technology with ESAero’s proven production capabilities, the Black Widow is set to be deployed swiftly and reliably.