Trump's 100% tariffs on foreign-made drones should send demand soaring for US drone makers and suppliers. AeroVironment has a $1.2B funded backlog; Kratos has a $2.1B backlog and jet drones with no foreign substitute; Ondas, the fastest grower, posted a record $83.8M quarter. Red Cat's Black Widow is an Army program of record, Unusual Machines makes 15,000 NDAA-compliant motors a month, AIRO has a $163M drone backlog and LightPath's US-made infrared optics become the default. x.com  x.com  x.com  … Show more

President Trump's proclamation to strengthen US drone supply chains benefits US drone component suppliers like Unusual Machines and drone makers like Ondas and Red Cat. It imposes 100% tariffs on drones over 25 kg, certain parts for them, drone docking stations and some critical components, plus 25% tariffs on broader components. x.com 

AVEX looks set to suffer more because a drone company tied to Trump's sons is likely to take business from it. This comes as @michaelsikand, a large holder, reports the newly listed, tiny-float stock hit his portfolio hard while he stands by his thesis. x.com 

Unusual Machines stands to gain from Trump's drone supply-chain proclamation, which sets 100% tariffs on drones over 25 kg, docking stations and certain critical components, and 25% on broader components. The tariffs may squeeze low-cost assemblers, but for vertically integrated domestic players like Unusual Machines they can shake out smaller rivals. The open question is whether domestic yields and costs for flight-control chips and thermal imaging modules can catch up fast enough. x.com 

Drone makers AeroVironment, Kratos and Ondas look set for another strong run after the Trump administration imposed a 100% tariff on foreign-made drones, per @unusual_whales citing the NYT. Defense names including Lockheed Martin, RTX and General Dynamics are easy buys now ahead of a golden era in 2027-2028. As @fundmyfund notes, 2026 has been awful for many of these stocks, but long-term charts show big bases that can fuel powerful moves, and defense funding should arrive in coming weeks. x.com  … Show more

Aevex Aerospace isn't cheap just because its EV/revenue or price-to-sales multiples look reasonable next to AeroVironment and Kratos. A dollar of Aevex revenue is not worth the same, as those two have much more sophisticated technology, while Aevex focuses on low-cost drones, an even more competitive market. It is worth considering only once people stop talking about it. x.com 

Drone stocks fell in 2026 even as backlogs hit records: Ukraine turned aircraft into ammunition, and the Pentagon's 2027 request holds nearly $75B for drones and counter-drone. AeroVironment's reordered loitering munitions and Kratos's jet drones are highest conviction. Counter-drone names Ondas, Axon, Motorola Solutions, Safe Pro, DroneShield and Rheinmetall gain as threats grow, Unusual Machines from Chinese-parts bans. Primes bury drone exposure; pure plays may not convert backlog. x.com  … Show more

Drone market growth to $100 billion by 2030, per Goldman Sachs, should lift five companies. Amazon has made over 100,000 Prime Air drone deliveries in US test markets. Kratos builds pilotless combat jets like the XQ-58 Valkyrie, with a $2 billion backlog and $15 billion pipeline. Ambarella's AI vision chips let drones see in real time. Leonardo DRS, about 80% Pentagon-funded, makes radar that downs enemy drones. Joby already earns from Blade's air taxis while awaiting FAA approval. x.com  x.com  … Show more

Red Cat's financial future looks uncertain: Q1 revenue was $15.5M against $29.3M of operating expenses, and its 13% gross margin has no clear path to the 30% target. Combat validation for its USVs belongs to a partner platform; its own Valdosta-built vessels are new and unproven in a named theater. It is too concentrated in aerial ISR, and the earnings call did not inspire confidence. Ondas, with 49% gross margins, over $1B raised and EBITDA-positive product units, is more compelling. x.com  … Show more

Drone and autonomy stocks are where government money is going next, as Trump pursues funding deals to boost domestic drone production. Dell is up over 50% since Trump said to buy it, and drone names could do the same once he announces picks. The list spans AeroVironment, Kratos, Red Cat, Ondas, Draganfly, Unusual Machines, Swarmer and Palladyne AI; counter-drone names DroneShield and L3Harris; and primes Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Textron, General Dynamics and Boeing. x.com  x.com