Red Cat Launches Maritime Division, Blue Ops, Inc., Appoints Barry Hinckley as President to Lead Expansion into Uncrewed Surface Vessels
Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT) has announced the launch of Blue Ops, Inc., a new maritime division focused on developing Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV) weapons systems. The company has appointed Barry Hinckley, a third-generation marine industry veteran, as President of the division.
Blue Ops will join Red Cat's existing divisions, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, as part of the company's strategy to expand into an all-domain defense company. The division will focus on U.S.-based production of battle-tested USVs, integrating various sensors, kinetics, and aerial UAS systems capabilities.
The initiative aligns with the U.S. Navy's fleet modernization goals and the national strategy to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing. Blue Ops will be co-led by Alexander 'Sandy' Spaulding, bringing a combined 70+ years of maritime leadership experience to the team.
Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT) ha annunciato il lancio di Blue Ops, Inc., una nuova divisione marittima dedicata allo sviluppo di sistemi d'arma per Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV). La società ha nominato Barry Hinckley, un veterano di terza generazione del settore marittimo, Presidente della divisione.
Blue Ops si affiancherà alle divisioni esistenti di Red Cat, Teal Drones e FlightWave Aerospace, nell'ambito della strategia dell'azienda di trasformarsi in una società di difesa multi-dominio. La divisione punterà sulla produzione negli Stati Uniti di USV già testati in battaglia, integrando sensori, capacità cinetiche e sistemi aerei UAS.
L'iniziativa è in linea con gli obiettivi della modernizzazione della flotta della Marina statunitense e con la strategia nazionale di rafforzamento della produzione di difesa domestica. Blue Ops sarà co-guidata da Alexander 'Sandy' Spaulding, portando al team oltre 70 anni di esperienza nella leadership marittima.
Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT) ha anunciado el lanzamiento de Blue Ops, Inc., una nueva división marítima centrada en el desarrollo de sistemas de armas para Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV). La compañía ha designado a Barry Hinckley, veterano de tercera generación en la industria naval, como presidente de la división.
Blue Ops se unirá a las divisiones ya existentes de Red Cat, Teal Drones y FlightWave Aerospace, como parte de la estrategia de la empresa para convertirse en una compañía de defensa de dominio múltiple. La división se enfocará en la producción en EE. UU. de USV probados en combate, integrando diversos sensores, capacidades cinéticas y sistemas UAS aéreos.
La iniciativa está alineada con los objetivos de modernización de la flota de la Marina de EE. UU. y con la estrategia nacional para fortalecer la fabricación de defensa doméstica. Blue Ops estará codirigida por Alexander 'Sandy' Spaulding, aportando un total de más de 70 años de experiencia en liderazgo marítimo al equipo.
Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT)는 무인수상함(USV) 무기체계 개발에 전념하는 새로운 해양 사업부 Blue Ops, Inc.의 출범을 발표했습니다. 회사는 해양업계 3세대 베테랑인 Barry Hinckley를 해당 사업부의 사장으로 임명했습니다.
Blue Ops는 Red Cat의 기존 사업부인 Teal Drones 및 FlightWave Aerospace에 합류하며, 기업의 전영역(all-domain) 방위기업으로의 확장 전략의 일부가 됩니다. 이 사업부는 미국 내에서 전투 검증된 USV의 생산에 주력하며 다양한 센서, 운동학적(kinetic) 능력 및 공중 UAS 시스템을 통합할 예정입니다.
이 이니셔티브는 미 해군의 함대 현대화 목표 및 국내 방위 제조 강화 전략과 부합합니다. Blue Ops는 Alexander 'Sandy' Spaulding와 공동으로 이끌리며, 팀에 합쳐서 70년 이상의 해양 리더십 경험을 제공합니다.
Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT) a annoncé le lancement de Blue Ops, Inc., une nouvelle division maritime dédiée au développement de systèmes d'armes pour Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV). La société a nommé Barry Hinckley, vétéran de troisième génération de l'industrie maritime, président de la division.
Blue Ops rejoindra les divisions existantes de Red Cat, Teal Drones et FlightWave Aerospace, dans le cadre de la stratégie de l'entreprise visant à devenir une société de défense multi-domaines. La division mettra l'accent sur la production aux États-Unis d'USV éprouvés en situation de combat, en intégrant divers capteurs, capacités cinétiques et systèmes UAS aériens.
Cette initiative s'aligne sur les objectifs de modernisation de la flotte de la Marine américaine et sur la stratégie nationale de renforcement de la fabrication de défense domestique. Blue Ops sera codirigée par Alexander 'Sandy' Spaulding, apportant à l'équipe plus de 70 ans d'expérience en leadership maritime.
Red Cat Holdings (Nasdaq: RCAT) hat die Gründung von Blue Ops, Inc. bekannt gegeben, einer neuen maritimen Sparte, die sich auf die Entwicklung von Waffensystemen für Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USV) konzentriert. Zum Präsidenten der Sparte wurde Barry Hinckley, ein Marineveteran in dritter Generation, ernannt.
Blue Ops wird Teil der bestehenden Bereiche von Red Cat, Teal Drones und FlightWave Aerospace, im Rahmen der Strategie des Unternehmens, sich zu einem All-Domain-Verteidigungsunternehmen zu entwickeln. Die Sparte wird sich auf die Produktion in den USA von kampferprobten USVs konzentrieren und verschiedene Sensoren, kinetische Fähigkeiten und luftgestützte UAS-Systeme integrieren.
Die Initiative steht im Einklang mit den Modernisierungszielen der US Navy und der nationalen Strategie zur Stärkung der heimischen Verteidigungsfertigung. Blue Ops wird gemeinsam von Alexander 'Sandy' Spaulding geleitet, der dem Team zusammen über 70 Jahre maritime Führungserfahrung bringt.
- Strategic expansion into maritime defense market with battle-tested USV technology
- Appointment of experienced leadership with 70+ years combined maritime expertise
- Alignment with U.S. Navy modernization goals and national defense strategy
- Integration capabilities with existing aerial UAS systems
- Production facilities and manufacturing operations not yet finalized
- Entering a new market segment with established competitors
Veteran boatbuilder and entrepreneur to lead the development of a family of battle-tested USV weapons systems
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, Aug. 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security, today announced the launch of its newest division, Blue Ops, Inc., focused on developing a family of battle-tested USV weapons systems that meet the rapidly evolving demands of the modern battlefield. Barry Hinckley, a third-generation marine industry veteran and entrepreneur, has been appointed President of the new division.
Red Cat’s formation of Blue Ops formalizes the company’s previous announcement that it was entering the maritime autonomy market with a line of battle-tested USVs. This new division underscores Red Cat’s strategy to expand its Family of Systems and evolve into an all-domain defense company. Blue Ops will sit alongside Red Cat’s existing divisions, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, with the mission to design, build, and deploy modular USVs to support multi-domain missions across military and security applications.
“Blue Ops is honored to bring proven technology, already validated in modern combat, into U.S. production for the next generation of maritime defense,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “The United States Navy has made it clear that fleet modernization and combat readiness are critical ahead of a possible conflict in the South China Sea that would involve American and allied forces. A big part of this strategy includes integrating autonomous vehicles into fleet operations and tapping into the vast potential of America’s shipbuilding industry.”
“Our proven technology platform, combined with the deep domain expertise of veteran boat builders, will provide the U.S. with a rapidly scalable solution that is ready for battle,” added Thompson. “Appointing Barry to oversee Blue Ops and lead an all-star team aligns perfectly with our mission.”
A Legacy of American Maritime Innovation
Barry Hinckley is a seasoned entrepreneur, technology executive, and former U.S. Senate candidate with a diverse background that spans decades as a Coast Guard-certified Merchant Mariner, the aviation industry, offshore sailing, and enterprise software. Blue Ops will also be led by Alexander ‘Sandy’ Spaulding. Sandy has held leadership roles across the maritime industry and was formerly President of Hinckley Yachts, deepening the team's practical experience and strategic partnerships. Together, they bring more than 70 years of combined experience in maritime leadership to Blue Ops. Hinckley Yachts is the premier luxury yacht builder in the United States and the Hinckley family has been building vessels in Maine for nearly a century, including over 500 boats for the U.S. Army and Navy during World War II.
“At Blue Ops, we’re combining nearly a century of American boatbuilding experience with modern autonomy and mission-ready design,” said Barry Hinckley, President of Blue Ops. “This new division is a critical extension of Red Cat’s all-domain strategy, supporting today’s warfighters across air, land, and sea. We’re not replacing large naval vessels—we’re building smaller, smarter, uncrewed platforms that extend their reach, provide forward protection, and can operate in places traditional ships can’t. The future of maritime defense depends on a fast, modular weapons system built in the U.S. That’s exactly what we’re delivering.”
Built in the U.S., Aligned with National Defense Strategy
Blue Ops will operate under Red Cat’s holding company structure and is preparing to launch U.S.-based production of a new class of battle-tested USVs. The company also plans to finalize and announce its multi-state manufacturing operations, aligning with national efforts to strengthen domestic defense manufacturing and field autonomous capabilities for U.S. and allied forces.
As part of the all-domain and multi-use case (ISR, tactical strike) strategy, Red Cat will be integrating various sensors, kinetics, and other capabilities into this new USV weapons system, including the transportation and deployment of its existing aerial UAS systems.
This move builds on Red Cat’s earlier support for executive orders from the White House aimed at restoring American maritime dominance and accelerating deployment of autonomous systems across all domains. It also aligns with the Navy’s plan to scale robotic and autonomous systems to integrate more platforms at speed as part of its Navigation Plan to raise readiness across the force by 2027 to be ready for crisis or conflict and enhance the Navy’s long-term advantage.
For more information about the different variants and specs that comprise the family of USV weapons systems, visit www.blueops.com.
About Red Cat Holdings, Inc.
Red Cat (Nasdaq: RCAT) is a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security. Through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Teal Drones and FlightWave Aerospace, Red Cat develops American-made hardware and software that support military, government, and public safety operations across air, land, and sea. Its Family of Systems, led by Black Widow™, delivers unmatched tactical capabilities in small, unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). Expanding into the maritime domain through Blue Ops, Inc., Red Cat is also innovating in uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), delivering integrated platforms designed to enhance safety and multi-domain mission effectiveness. Learn more at www.redcat.red.
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