PDW to Deliver Booz Allen Mission Autonomy Software and Secure Fleet Updates on AM Drones

PDW and Booz Allen plan additional autonomous software options and an extension of mission autonomy software to the C100 in 2027.

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Rhea-AI Summary

Booz Allen (BAH) is integrating its mission autonomy software, powered by Shield AI's Hivemind, into Performance Drone Works' AM drones.

The combined product entered controlled testing on September 30, with general availability planned for the first quarter of 2027. PDW is also integrating Booz Allen's secure, over-the-air software updates across its aircraft portfolio. Operators retain mission decision-making authority.

News Explained

Booz Allen’s fleet-update product replaces aircraft-by-aircraft software changes with a managed workflow for software delivery, configuration control and aircraft monitoring; the release says it is designed to reduce approved update cycles from weeks or months to hours.

Key Figures

Controlled testing began: September 30 Planned general availability: Q1 2027 Annual production capacity: 100,000 drones +1 more

Controlled testing began: September 30; Combined hardware and software product
Planned general availability: Q1 2027; Combined hardware and software product
Annual production capacity: 100,000 drones; Drone Factory 01
Update cycle: Weeks or months to hours; Designed reduction for approved software update cycles

Key Terms

attritable, isr, over-the-air

3 terms

attritable technical

"then configured for attritable strike when required."

Attritable describes revenue, assets, customers, or resources that are likely to be lost, worn out, or reduced over time through normal use, customer churn, or gradual decline. Investors care because attritable items require ongoing replacement, higher maintenance, or steady re-acquisition spending, which lowers durable profits and makes future cash flows less predictable—like a leaky bucket that must be refilled to keep the same level.

isr technical

"intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR)"

ISR stands for socially responsible investing (from the French phrase Investissement Socialement Responsable) and means choosing stocks, bonds or funds based on environmental, social and governance criteria in addition to financial return. Like picking a brand that matches your values, ISR matters to investors because it helps align portfolios with personal or institutional priorities, can reduce exposure to companies with regulatory or reputational risks, and can influence demand and valuation for firms deemed more sustainable.

over-the-air technical

"secure, over-the-air fleet update product"

Over-the-air means sending data, software or updates wirelessly to devices without needing a physical connection or in-person visit, like receiving a new app or firmware update through your phone or car’s cellular connection. Investors care because it lets companies fix bugs, add features, or patch security remotely, reducing recall costs and boosting user experience and recurring revenue, while also introducing regulatory and cybersecurity risks that can affect value.

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10/09/2026 - 09:00 AM

The capabilities combine Booz Allen's mission autonomy software and secure fleet updates with PDW's adaptable aircraft.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American defense technology company Performance Drone Works (PDW) today announced the integration of Booz Allen's (NYSE: BAH) new mission autonomy software, powered by Shield AI's Hivemind, on its AM (Attritable Multirotor) drones. The software supports autonomy-enabled mission execution, helping operators execute parts of the mission workflow with reduced manual control while retaining mission decision-making authority. PDW is also integrating Booz Allen's secure, over-the-air fleet update product across its aircraft portfolio.

PDW announced the integration of Booz Allen’s new mission autonomy software, powered by Shield AI’s Hivemind, on its AM system.

The offerings advance PDW's strategy to move decisive capability closer to the operator and keep fielded systems relevant as missions change. That strategy is backed by Drone Factory 01, PDW's 90,000-square-foot Huntsville, AL, facility, which has an annual production capacity of 100,000 drones.

"The advantage will belong to the force that can field, adapt, and scale unmanned and autonomous systems fastest," said James Slider, CEO of PDW. "Through our work with Booz Allen, operators gain advanced autonomy at the point of decision and a faster path to updated fielded aircraft as missions change, backed by U.S. capacity to produce and sustain their aircraft at scale. Warfighters should not have to stand by for airpower or be limited by a static capability outpaced by modern conflict."

Booz Allen's autonomy software enables operator-directed missions on AM

AM is PDW's multi-mission Group 1 unmanned aircraft system, designed to bridge reusable and attritable roles on a single platform. It can be recovered and reused for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), payload delivery, and other missions, then configured for attritable strike when required.

Customers can operate AM in its base configuration or add Booz Allen's autonomy software to enable autonomy-assisted perception and operator-authorized effects delivery within a single mission workflow. These capabilities are designed to reduce cognitive burden and help operators make faster, informed decisions while preserving their control over mission outcomes.

The combined hardware and software product entered controlled testing on September 30 and is planned for general availability in the first quarter of 2027. PDW and Booz Allen plan to develop additional autonomous software options and extend the mission autonomy software to the C100 in 2027.

"The Department of War needs autonomy that works at the pace of the mission," said Randy Yamada, a vice president and autonomy lead within Booz Allen's defense technology business. "Booz Allen's autonomy software gives unmanned aircraft onboard mission behaviors that help reduce operator burden and keep teams focused on mission outcomes, while our fleet update manager provides the secure software delivery and lifecycle management needed to update and verify those capabilities across a distributed fleet, even in contested, disconnected environments. Together, they operationalize these capable platforms that can evolve as the threat does."

Secure over-the-air updates enable software delivery across drone fleets in any environment

Booz Allen's secure, over-the-air fleet update product gives authorized teams a common control point for deploying software, managing configurations, and monitoring aircraft across a distributed fleet. Built for operations in denied, disrupted, intermittent, and limited-connectivity environments, it maintains deployment integrity through disrupted or limited connectivity.

The product provides visibility into fleet status, configuration control, and deployment history, and supports approved applications ranging from payload integration to mission-enabling autonomy. By replacing aircraft-by-aircraft software changes with a managed fleet workflow, it is designed to reduce approved update cycles from weeks or months to hours.

PDW at AUSA

PDW will host customer, partner, and media meetings during AUSA 2026, October 12–14 in Washington, D.C., to discuss autonomy, partner integrations, and future roadmap plans. To request a meeting, visit pdw.ai/ausa.

About Performance Drone Works

Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Performance Drone Works is an American defense technology company developing multi-mission aerial robotic systems and the software, communications, payload, training, and manufacturing capabilities that keep them relevant in the field. PDW develops proprietary systems and works with selected partners to bring proven technology into U.S. qualification, production, and support pathways. From Drone Factory 01, PDW designs, engineers, manufactures, fields, and sustains mission-ready capability for defense, government, public safety, and allied customers. Its mission is decisive airpower in the hands of every operator.