ZenaTech Reacts to ‘Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance’ Memo — A Game-Changing Policy Directive for ZenaDrone
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) responds to a transformative U.S. Department of Defense policy directive that significantly streamlines the acquisition process for small military drones. The directive, issued by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, classifies Group 1-2 drones as expendable assets and eliminates the need for Green or Blue UAS certification.
The company's entire drone portfolio, including the ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square, and IQ Nano, now qualifies for direct purchase by field commanders. The policy sets ambitious timelines: experimental formations by September 2025, squad-level drone equipment by FY 2026, and full UAS training integration by 2027.
ZenaTech's offerings include AI-enabled drones with capabilities ranging from 40kg payload capacity to indoor operations, supported by their proprietary DroneNet system and Drone as a Service (DaaS) model specifically tailored for defense applications.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) risponde a una direttiva trasformativa del Dipartimento della Difesa degli Stati Uniti che semplifica notevolmente il processo di acquisizione per i piccoli droni militari. La direttiva, emessa dal Segretario alla Difesa Pete Hegseth, classifica i droni di Gruppo 1-2 come risorse usa e getta, eliminando la necessità della certificazione Green o Blue UAS.
L'intero portafoglio droni dell'azienda, inclusi ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square e IQ Nano, ora può essere acquistato direttamente dai comandanti sul campo. La politica stabilisce tempi ambiziosi: formazioni sperimentali entro settembre 2025, equipaggiamento di droni a livello di squadra entro l'anno fiscale 2026 e piena integrazione della formazione UAS entro il 2027.
Le soluzioni di ZenaTech includono droni dotati di intelligenza artificiale con capacità che vanno da un carico utile di 40 kg a operazioni indoor, supportati dal loro sistema proprietario DroneNet e dal modello Drone as a Service (DaaS) specificamente progettato per applicazioni di difesa.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) responde a una directiva transformadora del Departamento de Defensa de EE. UU. que simplifica significativamente el proceso de adquisición para drones militares pequeños. La directiva, emitida por el Secretario de Defensa Pete Hegseth, clasifica a los drones de Grupo 1-2 como activos desechables y elimina la necesidad de certificación Green o Blue UAS.
Todo el portafolio de drones de la compañía, incluyendo el ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square y IQ Nano, ahora califica para compra directa por parte de los comandantes en el terreno. La política establece plazos ambiciosos: formaciones experimentales para septiembre de 2025, equipamiento de drones a nivel de escuadra para el año fiscal 2026, e integración completa de entrenamiento UAS para 2027.
Las ofertas de ZenaTech incluyen drones con inteligencia artificial con capacidades que van desde una carga útil de 40 kg hasta operaciones en interiores, respaldados por su sistema propietario DroneNet y el modelo Drone as a Service (DaaS) diseñado específicamente para aplicaciones de defensa.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA)는 미국 국방부의 획기적인 정책 지침에 대응하여 소형 군용 드론 획득 과정을 대폭 간소화했습니다. 이 지침은 국방장관 Pete Hegseth가 발행했으며, 그룹 1-2 드론을 소모성 자산으로 분류하고 Green 또는 Blue UAS 인증을 필요 없게 했습니다.
회사의 전체 드론 포트폴리오인 ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square, IQ Nano는 이제 현장 지휘관들이 직접 구매할 수 있습니다. 정책은 야심찬 일정도 제시합니다: 2025년 9월까지 실험적 편성, 2026 회계연도까지 분대급 드론 장비, 2027년까지 완전한 UAS 훈련 통합을 목표로 합니다.
ZenaTech의 제품은 40kg 페이로드부터 실내 작전까지 가능한 AI 기반 드론으로 구성되며, 자체 개발한 DroneNet 시스템과 국방 용도에 맞춘 Drone as a Service(DaaS) 모델을 지원합니다.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ : ZENA) répond à une directive transformatrice du Département de la Défense des États-Unis qui simplifie considérablement le processus d’acquisition des petits drones militaires. La directive, émise par le Secrétaire à la Défense Pete Hegseth, classe les drones de groupes 1-2 comme des actifs consommables et supprime la nécessité de la certification Green ou Blue UAS.
Le portefeuille complet de drones de l’entreprise, incluant le ZenaDrone 1000, le IQ Square et le IQ Nano, est désormais éligible à un achat direct par les commandants sur le terrain. La politique fixe des échéances ambitieuses : formations expérimentales d’ici septembre 2025, équipement de drones au niveau escouade pour l’exercice 2026, et intégration complète de la formation UAS d’ici 2027.
Les offres de ZenaTech comprennent des drones dotés d’intelligence artificielle, capables de supporter des charges utiles jusqu’à 40 kg et d’opérer en intérieur, soutenus par leur système propriétaire DroneNet et leur modèle Drone as a Service (DaaS) spécialement conçu pour les applications de défense.
ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) reagiert auf eine richtungsweisende Richtlinie des US-Verteidigungsministeriums, die den Beschaffungsprozess für kleine militärische Drohnen erheblich vereinfacht. Die von Verteidigungsminister Pete Hegseth herausgegebene Richtlinie stuft Drohnen der Gruppen 1-2 als Verbrauchsgüter ein und hebt die Notwendigkeit einer Green- oder Blue-UAS-Zertifizierung auf.
Das gesamte Drohnenportfolio des Unternehmens, einschließlich des ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square und IQ Nano, qualifiziert sich nun für den Direktkauf durch Feldkommandanten. Die Richtlinie setzt ehrgeizige Zeitpläne: experimentelle Formationen bis September 2025, Drohnenausrüstung auf Trupp-Ebene bis zum Geschäftsjahr 2026 und vollständige UAS-Ausbildung bis 2027.
ZenaTechs Angebote umfassen KI-gestützte Drohnen mit Fähigkeiten von 40 kg Nutzlast bis hin zu Innenraumeinsätzen, unterstützt durch ihr proprietäres DroneNet-System und das speziell auf Verteidigungsanwendungen zugeschnittene Drone as a Service (DaaS)-Modell.
- Entire ZenaTech drone portfolio now qualifies for direct military purchases without UAS certification requirements
- New policy enables faster procurement process by allowing field commanders to make direct purchases
- Company's drones have already undergone paid trials with US Air Force and Navy Reserve
- Policy change creates immediate market opportunity through 2027 implementation timeline
- Classification as 'expendable assets' may impact unit pricing and margins
- Increased competition likely as barriers to entry are reduced for the military drone market
- Rapid scaling of manufacturing capabilities required to meet potential demand
Insights
Pentagon's new drone policy removes purchasing barriers for ZenaTech's products, potentially accelerating military sales and market adoption.
The Department of Defense's new "Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance" policy directive represents a significant procurement reform that specifically benefits ZenaTech. By reclassifying Group 1-2 drones as expendable assets rather than durable equipment, the Pentagon has fundamentally altered the acquisition pathway for these systems.
This policy change creates three immediate advantages for ZenaTech: First, it eliminates the requirement for Green or Blue UAS certification for their entire drone portfolio, removing a substantial regulatory hurdle. Second, it decentralizes purchasing authority to field commanders who can now directly procure these systems for both training and actual operations. Third, by treating these drones as consumable items rather than capital equipment, it simplifies budgeting and accounting processes.
The directive includes specific implementation timelines that create a clear demand roadmap: experimental formations by September 2025, full squad equipment by fiscal year 2026, and complete integration into major DoD training by 2027. These concrete milestones provide predictable demand signals for manufacturers like ZenaTech.
ZenaTech's existing product lineup aligns perfectly with this directive. Their ZenaDrone 1000 has already undergone paid trials with military customers, while their IQ Square and IQ Nano platforms address specific capabilities mentioned in the memo. Their Drone-as-a-Service offering further simplifies procurement under this new model.
The reclassification of small drones as expendable commodities rather than durable assets represents a paradigm shift in military drone utilization. This approach mirrors successful battlefield innovation patterns where inexpensive, replaceable systems deployed at scale create asymmetric advantages. For ZenaTech, this transitions their products from expensive, carefully managed assets to consumable items purchased in volume – potentially transforming their business model and revenue potential.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a business technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drones, Drone as a Service (DaaS), Enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, today reacts to the July 10, 2025 new policy directive from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, ‘Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance.’ ZenaTech confirms that under this policy directive, its entire portfolio of ZenaDrone drones qualify as Group 1–2 expendable assets and are now enabled for direct purchases by field commanders for both training and real-world missions, and they no longer need Green or Blue UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) certification.
The policy directive, in which he called drones “the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation,” mandates the rapid acquisition, deployment, and operational use of small, low-cost Group 1 and 2 drones. The directive now treats them as expendable commodities rather than durable assets, which the Company anticipates will streamline bureaucracy, encourage innovation including the use of prototypes and commercial off-the-shelf systems, to ensure the US military can outpace adversaries by rapidly scaling drone capabilities on the battlefield. This memo also marks a paradigm shift, placing battlefield acquisition authority in the hands of frontline commanders, not procurement offices.
“The new policy directive is a game-changer for our company and the entire small drone industry. By removing traditional UAS certification barriers for Group 1 and 2 drones, it empowers us to deliver our cutting-edge and affordable solutions directly to frontline operators, accelerating innovation and battlefield impact like never before,” said ZenaTech CEO Shaun Passley. “This means field commanders can buy our rugged, mission flexible drones directly for training, exercises, real-world missions, or even prototypes. We are now accelerating our manufacturing and defense business development efforts to meet the urgent demand and help the US military maintain its drone dominance.”
Key Implications:
- Rapid Field Acquisition – ZenaDrone bypasses bureaucratic delays, available immediately to frontline units.
- Prototype-Friendly Deployment – Early-stage versions can be purchased and tested in operational contexts.
- Consumable Classification – Group 1 and 2 drones are now treated like expendable commodities rather than durable assets therefore inexpensive, replaceable, and low administrative burden.
- Multi-Mission Utility – Ready for ISR (Inspection, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions, counter-drone roles, and more.
Timelines from the Memo:
- By Sept 1: Each service branch to build “experimental formations” tailored to small UAS.
- By end of FY 2026: All squads equipped with low-cost, expendable drones.
- By 2027: Full integration of UAS into major training events across the Department of Defense.
The company’s portfolio of defense drone offerings include:
- The ZenaDrone 1000, a medium-sized VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) capable of lifting ~40 kg with AI-enabled autonomy, secure communications via its proprietary DroneNet system, and rugged construction. Designed for ISR- inspection, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications, it has undergone paid trials with both the US Air Force and Navy Reserve for critical cargo delivery (e.g., blood).
- The IQ Square, a VTOL drone (starting size 40”×40”) engineered for line-of-sight land surveys, infrastructure inspections, and defense reconnaissance tasks.
- The IQ Nano, a compact indoor drone (starting size 20″×20″), built to operate in GPS-denied environments like warehouses or military infrastructure for inventory management and security applications, it features obstacle avoidance, and AI-driven drone swarms or fleets.
- Drone as a Service (DaaS) offering will be tailored specifically for US defense and government agency use. The DaaS model accelerates government adoption by simplifying procurement and deployment, giving defense customers flexible, scalable, AI-powered drone solutions aligned with evolving mission needs.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a business technology solution provider specializing in AI drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions for mission-critical business applications. Since 2017, the Company has leveraged its software development expertise and grown its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone, to innovate and improve customer inspection, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes. With enterprise software customers using branded solutions in law enforcement, health, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus agriculture, defense, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive exceptional operational efficiencies, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through seven global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing a DaaS business model and global partner network.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures autonomous business drone solutions that can incorporate machine learning software, AI, predictive modeling, Quantum Computing, and other software and hardware innovations. Created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector, its specialization has grown to multifunctional drone solutions for industrial surveillance, monitoring, inspection, tracking, process automation and defense applications. Currently, the ZenaDrone 1000 drone is used for crop management applications in agriculture and critical field cargo applications in the defense sector, the IQ Nano indoor drone is used for inventory management and security in the warehouse and logistics sectors, and the IQ Square is an indoor/outdoor drone designed for land survey and inspections use in commercial and defense sectors.
Contacts for more information:
Company, Investors, and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
investors@zenatech.com
Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
investors@zenatech.com
Safe Harbor
This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000 and IQ Nano; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and its needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech.
FAQ
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