Draganfly's Commander 3XL Integrated with TB2 Aerospace’s DROPS System Achieves 100% Success Rate During U.S. Army’s SMEX25 Operational Trials
- Achieved 100% success rate in U.S. Army operational trials
- Successfully demonstrated autonomous payload operations without manual intervention
- System proved platform agnostic, showing versatility across different platforms
- Alignment with Presidential Executive Order on American Drone Dominance enhances market positioning
- None.
Insights
Draganfly's drone system achieves perfect performance in U.S. Army trials, demonstrating significant military logistics capability with promising contract potential.
Draganfly's Commander 3XL drone integrated with TB2 Aerospace's Drone Recharging Operational Payload System (DROPS) has achieved a 100% success rate during the U.S. Army's Sustainment Modernization Experiment 2025 (SMEX25). This performance benchmark represents a significant operational validation in a genuine military testing environment.
The system demonstrated two critical capabilities that address pressing military logistics challenges: fully autonomous payload operations and platform agnosticism. The Commander 3XL with DROPS successfully performed autonomous capture, transport, and delivery of payloads without human intervention—a capability that dramatically reduces personnel requirements in contested environments and minimizes human exposure in dangerous situations.
The platform agnosticism feature is particularly valuable from a military acquisition perspective, as it allows for integration across various drone platforms. Beyond the Commander 3XL that's now fully "DROPS Enabled," the technology is being adapted for Draganfly's smaller Apex and larger Heavy Lift platforms, creating a comprehensive ecosystem of compatible systems.
This successful demonstration aligns with the Presidential Executive Order "Unleashing American Drone Dominance," which likely provides favorable policy conditions for domestic drone manufacturers like Draganfly. The military's focus on autonomous logistics solutions for contested environments suggests this technology addresses a strategic capability gap in current military operations.
The perfect performance record during SMEX25 positions Draganfly favorably in the competitive military drone market, potentially leading to procurement contracts if the Army moves forward with adopting this technology for tactical resupply missions. While this announcement doesn't guarantee future contracts, successful performance in official Army evaluation exercises typically represents a significant milestone in the defense acquisition process.
In alignment with the Presidential Executive Order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance”
Golden, CO, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TB2 Aerospace LLC, in collaboration with Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO) (CSE: DPRO) (FSE: 3U8A) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), a drone solutions, and systems developer, (NASDAQ: DPRO), is proud to announce the successful deployment and performance of the Drone Recharging Operational Payload System (DROPS) during the U.S. Army’s Sustainment Modernization Experiment 2025 (SMEX25).
Throughout SMEX25’s week-long field exercises, the DROPS system, integrated with Draganfly’s Commander 3XL, achieved a
“The successful deployment of DROPS at SMEX25 underscores our commitment to advancing autonomous logistics solutions,” said Hank Scott, CEO of TB2 Aerospace. “Our system’s performance in a live operational environment validates its potential to revolutionize military tactical resupply and contested logistics.”
He added, “The successful integration of the Commander 3XL and DROPS in support of the U.S. Army’s mission is a great example of the advantage we strive to bring to our partners and their stakeholders.”
Key Capabilities Demonstrated:
- Autonomous Payload Operations: The Commander 3XL, enabled with DROPS, autonomously captured, transported, and delivered payloads without any manual intervention, streamlining tactical resupply and significantly reducing the need for human logistics support in the field.
- Platform Agnosticism: DROPS functioned seamlessly across various platforms, confirming its plug-and-play versatility, with special emphasis on its integration with Draganfly’s Commander 3XL platform. The Draganfly 3XL is now ‘DROPS Enabled’, whilst the smaller Draganfly Apex and the larger Heavy Lift are in the process of becoming DROPS Enabled.
About Draganfly
Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) is a pioneer in drone solutions, AI-driven software, and robotics. With over 25 years of innovation, Draganfly has been at the forefront of drone technology, providing solutions for public safety, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying. The Company is committed to delivering efficient, reliable, and industry-leading technology that helps organizations save time, money, and lives.
Media Contact
Company Contact
Cameron Chell
Chief Executive Officer
(306) 955-9907
Email: info@draganfly.com
About TB2 Aerospace
Founded in 2020, TB2 Aerospace is a U.S.-based defence technology innovator developing autonomous logistics and tactical payload systems. The company’s flagship solution, DROPS, is a modular, reconfigurable payload delivery system designed to extend and enhance the operational capabilities of unmanned systems in defense, disaster response, and homeland security applications.
Annabel Mead
Communications and Marketing Consultant
Canny Comms
✉ annabel@canny-comms.co.uk
Partnership Inquiries
Hank Scott
Chief Executive Officer, TB2 Aerospace
✉ hank@tb2aerospace.com
Visit www.tb2aerospace.com for more information.
Forward Looking Statements
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain “forward looking statements” and certain “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements and information can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may”, “will”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “continue”, “plans” or similar terminology. Forward-looking statements and information are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to DROPS being a game-changing force multiplier for the Department of Defence and its allies as well as Draganfly’s ability to enable DROPS on the Draganfly Apex and the larger Heavy Lift. Forward-looking statements and information are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of the Company to control or predict, that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out here in, including but not limited to: the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on the Company’s business, operations and financial condition; the successful integration of technology; the inherent risks involved in the general securities markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; the inherent uncertainty of cost estimates; the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, currency fluctuations; regulatory restrictions; and liability, competition, loss of key employees and other related risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors“ in the Company’s most recent filings filed with securities regulators in Canada on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com and with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-looking information represents managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.
FAQ
What was the success rate of Draganfly's Commander 3XL with DROPS system in the U.S. Army trials?
Which Draganfly (DPRO) drone models are compatible with the DROPS system?
What are the key capabilities demonstrated by DPRO's Commander 3XL during SMEX25?
How does the DROPS system enhance Draganfly's military applications?
