Ondas' American Robotics Optimus Drone Approved for Rapid Federal Procurement via DCMA Blue UAS Cleared List

Rhea-AI Summary

Ondas (NASDAQ:ONDS) announced that its subsidiary American Robotics' Optimus drone received DCMA Blue List approval on January 28, 2026, qualifying the platform for rapid federal procurement under the Department of War's NDAA-compliant UAS directory.

The designation confirms Optimus meets DoW standards for cybersecurity, supply-chain integrity, and operational reliability, and highlights an automated drone-in-a-box dock with 11 onboard batteries and support for up to nine mission payloads enabling continuous 24/7 autonomous operations.

Positive

• DCMA Blue List inclusion enables rapid federal procurement
• Automated dock supports 24/7 autonomous operations
• Dock houses 11 batteries and up to 9 payloads
• Positions Ondas for defense and critical-infrastructure deployments

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Onboard batteries: 11 batteries Mission payload capacity: Up to 9 payloads Price change: 9.86% +5 more

8 metrics

Onboard batteries 11 batteries Optimus drone dock supports continuous 24/7 operations

Mission payload capacity Up to 9 payloads Optimus drone dock payload slots for extended missions

Price change 9.86% 24h move prior to/around Blue List approval news

52-week high $15.28 Pre-news 52-week trading range high

52-week low $0.57 Pre-news 52-week trading range low

Price vs 52-week high -19.76% Distance of $12.26 price from 52-week high

Price vs 52-week low 2050.88% Distance of $12.26 price from 52-week low

Market cap $4,734,062,079 Pre-news market capitalization

Market Reality Check

Price: $12.26 Vol: Volume 91,968,805 is belo...

normal vol

$12.26 Last Close

Volume Volume 91,968,805 is below the 20-day average of 109,986,793 (relative volume 0.84x). normal

Technical Price at $12.26 is above the 200-day MA of $5.29 and 19.76% below the 52-week high of $15.28, while up 2050.88% from the 52-week low of $0.57.

Peers on Argus

ONDS gained 9.86% while peers were mixed: VIAV up 3.4%, VSAT up 5.06%, and EXTR,...

1 Up

ONDS gained 9.86% while peers were mixed: VIAV up 3.4%, VSAT up 5.06%, and EXTR, COMM, BDC down 3.42%, 0.38%, and 0.12% respectively. Momentum scanner only flagged EXTR earlier, reinforcing that ONDS’s move appears stock-specific to this defense procurement news.

Common Catalyst One peer, Extreme Networks, reported earnings today, but no broader, shared defense-drone theme appears across the communication equipment peer headlines.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 16 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 16	Outlook & prelim results	Positive	-5.2%	Raised 2026 revenue target and stronger preliminary 2025 revenue and backlog.
Jan 12	Offering closed	Negative	-3.6%	Closed large registered direct offering with shares and warrants for ~$959.2M net.
Jan 09	Offering priced	Negative	-2.3%	Announced ~$1B stock and warrant sale at a premium to prior close.
Jan 07	Conference appearance	Neutral	-5.1%	Planned Needham Growth Conference fireside chat and investor meetings.
Jan 05	Investor Day announced	Positive	+13.7%	Scheduled OAS Investor Day to present updated business plan and 2026 outlook.

Pattern Detected

Recent history shows mixed reactions: positive strategic or financial updates sometimes sold off, while an earlier Investor Day announcement was rewarded, indicating inconsistent alignment between news tone and price moves.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, Ondas reported several capital markets and strategic milestones. On Jan 5, it announced an upcoming OAS Investor Day and 2026 outlook, which was followed by a 13.7% gain. Subsequent Needham conference participation on Jan 7 and a large registered direct offering announcement and closing on Jan 9 and Jan 12 coincided with modest declines. On Jan 16, preliminary 2025 results and a higher 2026 revenue target also saw a negative reaction. Today’s defense-focused Blue List approval adds a non-financing, operational milestone to this sequence.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf

Shelf Active

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-09

Ondas has an effective Form S-3ASR shelf registration filed on 2025-09-09, expiring on 2028-09-09. The shelf allows issuance of various securities types, and it has been used multiple times, including recent 424B5 and 424B7 prospectus supplements. This provides flexibility to access capital or facilitate resales under the registered program.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights DCMA Blue List approval for Ondas’ Optimus drone, confirming it as a se...

Analysis

This announcement highlights DCMA Blue List approval for Ondas’ Optimus drone, confirming it as a secure, NDAA-compliant platform eligible for streamlined federal procurement. The designation supports the company’s strategy in defense and critical infrastructure markets by validating cybersecurity and reliability standards. In the context of recent capital raises and updated growth targets, investors may watch how Blue List status translates into concrete contracts, utilization of autonomous 24/7 operations, and contribution to revenue targets such as the updated 2026 outlook.

Key Terms

ndaa-compliant, uas, cybersecurity

3 terms

ndaa-compliant regulatory

"authoritative directory of approved, secure, and NDAA-compliant commercial unmanned aircraft systems"

NDAA-compliant means that a product, supplier, or company meets the rules in the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act that bar certain foreign technologies and require specific security practices. For investors, compliance matters because it determines whether a business can sell to the U.S. government, avoid fines or bans, and reduce supply‑chain or reputational risk—similar to passing a background check that lets you bid on a sensitive contract.

uas technical

"NDAA-compliant commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and components."

UAS stands for Unmanned Aircraft System, the complete setup that lets a remotely piloted aircraft (commonly called a drone) fly safely — including the aircraft itself, the ground controller, communications links and supporting equipment. Investors watch UAS because rules, technology and demand for tasks like surveying, delivery or aerial inspection directly affect companies’ sales and regulatory costs; think of it as a vehicle plus its keys, radio and support crew that together determine whether it can operate profitably.

cybersecurity technical

"meet the DoW's rigorous standards for cybersecurity, supply-chain integrity, and operational reliability."

Cybersecurity involves protecting computers, networks, and digital information from theft, damage, or unauthorized access. It is essential for safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining trust in digital systems, which matters to investors because strong cybersecurity reduces the risk of costly breaches and disruptions that can impact a company’s performance and reputation. Think of it as locking and safeguarding valuable information much like securing a safe to prevent theft.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Approval confirms compliance with Department of War cybersecurity, supply-chain, and operational standards, further positioning Ondas' dual-use autonomous platform for expanded deployment across defense and critical infrastructure applications

Milestone reflects continued advancement in scaling compliant, dual-use autonomous technologies

SPARKS, MD / ACCESS Newswire / January 28, 2026 / Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) ("Ondas" or the "Company"), a leading provider of autonomous aerial and ground robot intelligence through its Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS) business unit and private wireless solutions through Ondas Networks, today announced that its Optimus drone, provided by subsidiary, American Robotics, has been granted Blue List status by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). The Optimus drone is now listed within the Department of War's (DoW) authoritative directory of approved, secure, and NDAA-compliant commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and components. Building on the former DIU Blue UAS Cleared List, the DCMA Blue List creates a centralized rapid acquisition marketplace.

The Blue List identifies unmanned aerial systems that meet the DoW's rigorous standards for cybersecurity, supply-chain integrity, and operational reliability. Inclusion on the Blue List confirms that the Optimus drone satisfies these requirements for defense and government procurement and enables agencies to reduce acquisition friction, accelerate contracting timelines, and more rapidly deploy this trusted, U.S.-compliant platform in national-security and critical-infrastructure missions.

"This Blue List designation marks an important milestone for Ondas and American Robotics," said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas Holdings Inc. "It validates the Optimus drone as a secure, reliable, and operationally proven platform for defense use. We remain focused on delivering trusted, dual-use autonomous systems designed to strengthen national security and enhance mission effectiveness."

The Optimus drone leverages American Robotics' operationally proven foundation, advancing autonomous flight capabilities refined through years of field deployment and regulatory validation. With Blue List approval, Optimus is now recognized for its readiness to operate within defense and government environments that demand the highest standards of security and reliability and operational continuity. At the center of the system is an automated drone-in-a-box dock designed to support continuous 24/7 operations. The dock houses 11 onboard batteries and up to nine mission payloads, enabling extended endurance without human intervention. Using an integrated mechanical arm, payloads can be autonomously exchanged between flights, allowing the system to shift mission profiles in real time while maintaining persistent aerial coverage.

This achievement reinforces Ondas' strategy to deliver scalable, compliant unmanned systems for government, defense, and infrastructure applications, positioning the Company to support a growing range of U.S. and allied defense initiatives requiring secure, autonomous aerial capabilities.

About Ondas Inc.
Ondas Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS) is a leading provider of autonomous systems and private wireless solutions through its business units Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS), Ondas Capital and Ondas Networks. Ondas' technologies offer a powerful combination of aerial intelligence and next-generation connectivity to enhance security, operational efficiency, and data-driven decision-making across essential industries.

Ondas Autonomous Systems ("OAS") delivers a portfolio of AI-powered defense and security platforms deployed globally to protect sensitive sites, populations, and critical infrastructure. Through its operating companies-American Robotics, Airobotics, Apeiro Motion, Roboteam Ltd., and Sentrycs-OAS provides an integrated suite of autonomous aerial, ground, and counter-UAS solutions. These include the Optimus System, the first FAA-certified small UAS for fully automated aerial security and data capture; Iron Drone Raider, an autonomous counter-UAS interception platform; Roboteam's combat-proven tactical ground robotic systems for military and special operations forces; Apeiro Motion's advanced ground robotics and tethered UAV systems with proprietary navigation and communications technologies; and Sentrycs' Cyber-over-RF (CoRF) and protocol-manipulation counter-UAS solutions.

Ondas Capital plans to combine advisory services and strategic investment management services to accelerate the rapid scaling and global deployment of unmanned and autonomous systems to Allied defense and security markets.

Ondas Networks provides software-defined wireless broadband technology through its FullMAX platform, based on the IEEE 802.16t standard. This standards-based system delivers high-performance connectivity for mission-critical IoT applications in markets such as rail, utilities, oil and gas, transportation, and government.

For additional information on Ondas Inc.: www.ondas.com, X and LinkedIn
For Ondas Autonomous Systems: LinkedIn
For Airobotics: www.airoboticsdrones.com, X and LinkedIn
For American Robotics: www.american-robotics.com, X and LinkedIn
For Sentrycs: www.sentrycs.com, X and LinkedIn
For Roboteam: www.robo-team.com,X and LinkedIn
For Apeiro Motion: www.apeiro-motion.com, LinkedIn
For Ondas Networks: www.ondasnetworks.com, X and LinkedIn

Forward-Looking Statements     
Statements made in this release that are not statements of historical or current facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution readers that forward-looking statements are predictions based on our current expectations about future events. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results, performance, or achievements could differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including the risks discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or any updates discussed under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part II of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our other filings with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise that occur after that date, except as required by law.

Contacts    
IR Contact for Ondas Inc.  
888-657-2377  
ir@ondas.com

Media Contact for Ondas Inc. 
Escalate PR  
ondas@escalatepr.com

Preston Grimes  
Marketing Manager, Ondas Inc.  
preston.grimes@ondas.com

SOURCE: Ondas Holdings Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

What does the DCMA Blue List approval mean for Ondas (ONDS)?

It means the Optimus drone is authorized for faster federal procurement and contracting. According to the company, Blue List status signals DoW compliance with cybersecurity, supply-chain, and operational standards, reducing acquisition friction and accelerating deployment timelines for defense and government buyers.

How does Optimus enable continuous operations after the January 28, 2026 approval?

Optimus supports persistent missions with an automated drone-in-a-box dock enabling 24/7 operations. According to the company, the dock houses 11 onboard batteries and can carry up to nine mission payloads with an integrated mechanical arm for autonomous payload swaps.

Which standards did Optimus meet to gain Blue List designation for ONDS?

Optimus satisfied Department of War standards for cybersecurity, supply-chain integrity, and operational reliability. According to the company, those criteria are prerequisites for listing on the DCMA Blue List and for use in national-security and critical-infrastructure missions.

How will Blue List status affect government adoption of Optimus by Ondas (ONDS)?

Blue List status should lower procurement barriers and speed contracting for government agencies. According to the company, inclusion creates a centralized rapid acquisition marketplace to more rapidly deploy NDAA-compliant unmanned systems in defense and infrastructure roles.

What operational capabilities of American Robotics' Optimus were highlighted in the announcement?

The announcement emphasized autonomous payload exchange and extended endurance without human intervention. According to the company, an integrated mechanical arm swaps payloads between flights, enabling real-time mission profile changes and persistent aerial coverage.