Edge Autonomy
Edge Autonomy, now part of Redwire Corporation, designs and manufactures long-endurance fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems — principally the Stalker and Penguin families — for U.S. and allied defense forces including the Marine Corps, Army, and Ukraine Armed Forces.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2022
- HeadquartersSan Luis Obispo, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Edge Autonomy does
Edge Autonomy designs, manufactures, and supports long-endurance uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for defense and government customers. The company's product portfolio centers on two fixed-wing UAS families: the Stalker platform (including Block 30, Block 40, and Stalker VTOL variants) and the Penguin platform (including Penguin C VTOL and Mk2 variants). Stalker variants achieve up to 39-hour flight times enabled by Adaptive Energy solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology — acquired by Edge Autonomy in August 2022 after more than a decade of integration in its airframes — and the Stalker is listed on the DoD Blue UAS List, certifying compliance with U.S. National Security Requirements. The Penguin drone has been combat-proven in Ukraine with over 200 units delivered to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The company sells primarily through direct contracts with U.S. military branches (Marine Corps, Army) and allied governments, supplemented by European channel partners — Eurolink Systems for Italy and UXV Technologies under a memorandum of understanding covering broader NATO/EU interoperability. Key programs include the U.S. Marine Corps Long Range/Long Endurance (LR/LE) program under PMA-263, where the VXE30 Stalker fleet has exceeded 200 aircraft, and the U.S. Army Long-Range Reconnaissance (LRR) program. A Red Cat Holdings integration partnership combines the Stalker VTOL with Black Widow quadcopters for extended Army missions.
In June 2025, Redwire Corporation acquired Edge Autonomy for $925 million, contributing $107 million in revenue to Redwire's fiscal year 2025 results. By January 2026, Redwire retired the Edge Autonomy brand and consolidated operations into unified Space and Defense Tech segments. Manufacturing operates from a 10,000 m² facility in Riga, Latvia (opened in 2026 and nearly doubling prior capacity), while the U.S. corporate presence has shifted under Redwire's Jacksonville, Florida headquarters. Pricing is non-public, quote-based defense procurement with multi-year contract cadence.
Edge Autonomy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Edge Autonomy
- Legal name
- Edge Autonomy
- Website
- https://edgeautonomy.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2022
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Edge Autonomy, now part of Redwire Corporation, designs and manufactures long-endurance fixed-wing unmanned aerial systems — principally the Stalker and Penguin families — for U.S. and allied defense forces including the Marine Corps, Army, and Ukraine Armed Forces.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Edge Autonomy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Unmanned Aerial Systems (Defense UAVs)
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB), VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)
Keywords
Where Edge Autonomy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Luis Obispo
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Edge Autonomy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- U.S. Military UAS Contracts: Edge Autonomy generates revenue through direct contracts with U.S. military branches including the Marine Corps, Army, and Department of Defense. Contracts include aircraft systems, spares packages, training services, and follow-on orders. The company contributed $107 million in revenue to parent Redwire in fiscal year 2025.
- NATO Allied Defense Contracts: Edge Autonomy sells to European NATO allies through direct contracts and partnerships. The company has delivered Stalker UAS to undisclosed European NATO countries and partnered with Eurolink Systems for Italian market distribution.
- Ukraine Armed Forces Contracts: Redwire has been contracted directly by the Ukraine Armed Forces to deliver Penguin UAS for advanced combat-proven reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition capabilities. Over 200 Penguin drones have been delivered.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | U.S. Military Procurement Contracts |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
Edge Autonomy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Edge Autonomy designs, manufactures, and supports long-endurance fixed-wing and VTOL unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for defense and government customers, anchored by the Stalker UAS family (Block 30, Block 40, VTOL) and the Penguin UAS family (C VTOL, Mk2). The company integrates solid oxide fuel cell power systems for extended endurance missions and delivers aircraft, spares, training, and integration services to U.S. military branches, NATO allies, and allied forces through direct procurement and channel partners.
Product overview
Edge Autonomy, now consolidated under Redwire Corporation following its $925 million acquisition in June 2025, provides combat-proven uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) for defense applications. The product portfolio centers on two primary UAV families: the Stalker platform (including Block 30, Block 40, and VTOL variants) and the Penguin platform (including C VTOL and Mk2 variants). These systems serve long-endurance, long-range reconnaissance and intelligence gathering missions for U.S. and allied forces, with over 200 Penguin drones deployed in Ukraine. The company also offers the VXE30 Stalker for the Marine Corps Long Range/Long Endurance program, has integrated Adaptive Energy's solid oxide fuel cell technology for extended endurance, and provides ground control systems supporting NATO interoperability. Following the acquisition, Edge Autonomy's operations have been merged into Redwire's unified Space and Defense Tech segments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Stalker UAS: Long-endurance fixed-wing uncrewed aerial system listed on DoD Blue UAS List, capable of vertical takeoff with 39-hour flight times and silent low-altitude operations
- Penguin Drone
- Stalker Block 30/40
- Penguin C VTOL
- Mk2 Platforms
Products and services
- Stalker UAS Long-endurance fixed-wing unmanned aerial system providing advanced reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities; listed on the DoD Blue UAS List and integrated with fuel cell technology for extended endurance missions for defense customers.
- Stalker Block 30 Stealthy fixed-wing drone variant with vertical takeoff capability, up to 39-hour endurance, and silent low-altitude operations for long-range reconnaissance missions; procured by the U.S. Marine Corps.
- Stalker Block 40 Advanced configuration of the Stalker UAS platform designed for enhanced operational capabilities in contested environments.
- Stalker VTOL Vertical take-off and landing variant of the Stalker UAS, integrating with partner payloads such as Red Cat Holdings' Black Widow quadcopters for extended mission range and battlefield surveillance.
- Penguin Drone Combat-proven fixed-wing UAV extensively deployed in Ukraine with over 200 units delivered for advanced reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition capabilities.
- Penguin C VTOL Vertical take-off and landing variant of the Penguin platform designed for long-endurance, long-range reconnaissance missions with flexible deployment options.
- Penguin Mk2 Next-generation configuration of the Penguin UAS platform featuring enhanced capabilities for multi-domain operations.
- VXE30 Stalker (Small Uncrewed Aircraft System) Small uncrewed aircraft system designated for the U.S. Navy Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program (PMA-263) supporting the Long Range/Long Endurance (LR/LE) program of record.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 200 combat-proven UAS delivered to Ukraine and U.S. military programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Edge Autonomy
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Edge Autonomy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature4 records
Edge Autonomy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Eurolink SystemscoreEdge Autonomy partnered with Eurolink Systems to bring mission-proven UAS technology to the Italian defense sector. The collaboration includes promotion and support of Edge Autonomy's Uncrewed Systems portfolio featuring the Stalker Block 30, Block 40, Penguin C VTOL and Mk2 platforms designed for long-endurance, long-range reconnaissance missions. Eurolink provides local support and integration services in Italy, representing an expansion of Edge Autonomy's European operations.
- UXV TechnologiescoreEdge Autonomy signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UXV Technologies to enhance uncrewed aerial systems for European defense. The collaboration focuses on integrating ground control systems to improve interoperability and support NATO and EU strategic priorities. Partnership signed in Riga, Latvia during Danish-Latvian Industry Days.
- Redwire CorporationcoreRedwire Corporation acquired Edge Autonomy for $925 million in June 2025, consolidating Edge Autonomy's operations into Redwire's unified Space and Defense Tech segments. The acquisition positioned Redwire as a vertically integrated provider across civil space, commercial space, and multi-domain defense missions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Edge Autonomy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AeroVironment: AeroVironment is a leading U.S. tactical UAS manufacturer (Switchblade, Puma, JUMP) that competes directly with Edge Autonomy in small/medium long-endurance fixed-wing and VTOL military drones. Both serve U.S. DoD and allied forces with similar reconnaissance and loitering munition use cases.
- Anduril Industries: Anduril is a venture-backed defense tech company building autonomous UAS (Roadrunner, Ghost, Bolt) and AI-enabled mission software. It competes with Edge Autonomy in defense autonomy and uncrewed platforms, with substantially more private capital and a broader software stack.
- Shield AI: Shield AI develops the V-BAT VTOL UAS and Hivemind autonomy software for military applications. It directly competes with Edge Autonomy's VTOL UAS offerings (Stalker VTOL, Penguin C VTOL) and shares the same DoD and allied defense customers.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: Kratos develops tactical and target UAS (XQ-58 Valkyrie, MQM-178 Firejet, BQM-177) and offers affordable attritable drone platforms. It competes with Edge Autonomy in defense-focused UAS and shares exposure to U.S. DoD and allied procurement.
- Textron Systems: Textron Systems produces the Aerosonde small UAS and is a key competitor in long-endurance, expeditionary military drones. It directly competes with Edge Autonomy's Stalker and Penguin platforms in U.S. and allied tactical UAS tenders.
Broad incumbents
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems: General Atomics manufactures the Predator, Reaper, and MQ-9B UAS, dominating the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAS segment. It competes with Edge Autonomy in the broader defense UAS market, especially around ISR and NATO interoperability, though at a much larger Group 4/5 scale.
- Northrop Grumman: Northrop Grumman produces the Global Hawk high-altitude long-endurance UAS and is a broad defense prime. It overlaps with Edge Autonomy in defense UAS, ISR, and autonomous systems, particularly with U.S. Army and Air Force customers.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a diversified defense prime that produces ISR systems, tactical UAS, and autonomous mission solutions. It overlaps with Edge Autonomy in defense uncrewed systems and shares the same military and NATO customer base.
Emerging players
- Skydio: Skydio is a U.S.-based autonomous drone manufacturer that has expanded from commercial into defense and public safety. It is an emerging competitor in autonomy and tactical small UAS, intersecting with Edge Autonomy's mission sets, particularly for short-range reconnaissance.
- Red Cat Holdings: Red Cat Holdings produces the Black Widow and Teal tactical quadcopters for U.S. Army drone programs (e.g., SRR program). It is an integration partner of Edge Autonomy (Black Widow is integrated with Stalker VTOL) and an emerging competitor in the tactical UAS space.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Edge Autonomy social profiles
Digital presenceEdge Autonomy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Edge Autonomy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Edge Autonomy subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Edge Autonomy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Edge Autonomy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A2 records
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Edge Autonomy
What does Edge Autonomy do?
Edge Autonomy designs, manufactures, and supports long-endurance fixed-wing and VTOL unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for defense and government customers, anchored by the Stalker UAS family (Block 30, Block 40, VTOL) and the Penguin UAS family (C VTOL, Mk2). The company integrates solid oxide fuel cell power systems for extended endurance missions and delivers aircraft, spares, training, and integration services to U.S. military branches, NATO allies, and allied forces through direct procurement and channel partners.
Is Edge Autonomy a public or private company?
Edge Autonomy is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently acquired.
When was Edge Autonomy founded?
Edge Autonomy was founded in 2022. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Edge Autonomy based?
Edge Autonomy is headquartered in San Luis Obispo, United States, in the North America region.
How does Edge Autonomy make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. U.S. Military UAS Contracts are the primary driver. The others are NATO Allied Defense Contracts and ukraine Armed Forces Contracts.
Who are Edge Autonomy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AeroVironment, Anduril Industries, Shield AI, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Textron Systems. Broad incumbents are General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Northrop Grumman and L3Harris Technologies. Emerging players are Skydio and Red Cat Holdings.
Does Edge Autonomy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Edge Autonomy.
What industry is Edge Autonomy in?
Edge Autonomy's product category is Unmanned Aerial Systems (Defense UAVs). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAC, Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAIAB, Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3721.