AIRO Group Holdings has completed the first U.S.-built RQ-35 ISR drones at its Phoenix facility, marking a key milestone in its Made-in-America expansion. The drones, produced to full operational standards, successfully passed assembly, integration, and flight tests, reflecting close collaboration between U.S. and Danish teams.
AIRO Group Holdings has completed the first RQ-35 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones produced to full operational standard at its U.S. manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona. The newly completed aircraft are the first RQ-35 systems manufactured in the United States, marking the initial output of the company’s Made-in-America expansion effort, and were built to the same specifications as RQ-35 drones produced at AIRO’s Denmark facility.
The drones successfully completed Phase 1 of the U.S. manufacturing and validation program, including full system assembly, integration of all major components, and a comprehensive flight-test campaign concluding with successful final flights on December 11.
AIRO CEO Joe Burns said the milestone reflects coordinated work across international teams. He stated, “Completing the first U.S.-built RQ-35 systems is a significant milestone for AIRO and a testament to the skill and dedication of our Phoenix and Denmark teams. Their seamless collaboration and rigorous execution enable us to deliver combat-proven ISR systems from U.S. soil.”
COO John Uczekaj emphasized the cooperation between U.S. and Danish personnel in establishing the Phoenix production line. He praised the collaboration and hands-on support from Sky-Watch leadership as instrumental in producing operationally proven RQ-35 systems in Phoenix.
Sky-Watch CEO Martin Schousboe highlighted the focus on aligning U.S. production with existing engineering, production, and testing standards, ensuring consistency and reliability.
The RQ-35 drone is optimized for operations in GPS-denied, jamming-intense, and electronic warfare environments, delivering persistent intelligence with minimal operator workload, and is capable of functioning in extreme temperatures. The platform features resilient communications, flexible payload options, and a durable airframe, with an operational record across multiple theaters as a force-multiplying ISR asset.
U.S. production also advances the RQ-35 within the Department of War’s Blue UAS certification process, supporting more efficient procurement and deployment for U.S. government users. This milestone strengthens AIRO’s broader drone portfolio, including the RQ-35, the Nord Drone joint venture, and ongoing Bullet joint venture projects, as the company pursues opportunities with U.S. and allied government customers.
Executive Chairman Chirinjeev Kathuria said the delivery of U.S.-built systems met a stated company goal, noting, “We set a clear goal to deliver the first complete RQ-35 systems from our U.S. facility before the end of 2025, and we have done exactly that. This is only the beginning as we scale U.S. production.”
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