Airmetal
AirMetal Robotics Corp. is a Canadian privately held defence technology company developing sovereign autonomous drone platforms and tactical edge-processing payloads for the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO allies, and Five Eyes partner nations, with hardware sales and integrator partnerships as its primary revenue model.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersOceanside, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Airmetal does
AirMetal Robotics Corp. (Airmetal) is a Canadian privately held defence technology company that develops sovereign autonomous systems for contested and austere military environments. The company's product portfolio centres on three core offerings: the FPV v1.0 "Cobra Chicken" tactical strike drone for precision operations; TacMesh, an edge-processing robotic payload built on an NVIDIA Orin NX GPU with integrated tactical mesh radio for long-range teleoperation and real-time AI-powered sensor fusion; and TacMesh-Bubble, a next-generation dual-radio variant featuring native ATAK integration for Cursor-on-Target data sharing across tactical networks. The technology stack combines on-board AI autonomy, quantum-resistant secure communications, self-healing MANET mesh networking, and multi-drone coordination, with operating-temperature support from -40C to +85C and claimed 99.97% system uptime.
Airmetal's business model is anchored in hardware sales of sovereign platforms (FPV drones, TacMesh, TacMesh-Bubble) to the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO allies, and Five Eyes partner nations, complemented by professional services revenue from defence integrator partnerships with prime contractors and from event-driven classified demonstrations (CANSEC Demo Day, ROAR Defence Conference, Summer Flyday Series, Production Open House). The company positions its 100% Canadian engineering and manufacturing with ITAR-free supply chain as a regulatory differentiator that enables unrestricted export to allied nations. GTM is enterprise field sales via a dedicated defence programmes team, augmented by event-driven demand generation and channel partnerships with prime integrators for embedding platforms into larger force packages and joint operational architectures.
Founded in 2021 with 1-10 employees and dual Canadian operations in Kanata (manufacturing) and Ottawa (programmes), Airmetal is led by founder David Cunningham (Founder & Chief Strategy and Research Officer). Customer concentration is high — entirely within the government/defence vertical with the Canadian Armed Forces as the primary segment. The company has no publicly disclosed revenue, no funding rounds on record, and is actively expanding its product roadmap (Krypto Borealis, Arctic Falcon, Orion, Parrot CDN announced for the April 2026 Production Open House).
Airmetal firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Airmetal
- Legal name
- AirMetal Robotics Corp.
- Website
- https://airmetal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- AirMetal Robotics Corp. is a Canadian privately held defence technology company developing sovereign autonomous drone platforms and tactical edge-processing payloads for the Canadian Armed Forces, NATO allies, and Five Eyes partner nations, with hardware sales and integrator partnerships as its primary revenue model.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Airmetal industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tactical Unmanned Defence Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)
Keywords
Where Airmetal is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oceanside
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Airmetal business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Defence Platform Sales: Sale of sovereign autonomous drone platforms and edge processing payloads to Canadian Armed Forces, NATO allies, and allied defence organizations. Includes FPV tactical platforms, TacMesh, and TacMesh-Bubble systems sold as hardware with associated software capabilities.
- Defence Integrator Partnerships: Collaboration with prime defence contractors for platform integration into larger force packages, mission systems, and joint operational architectures. Revenue derived from technology integration and customization services.
- Event and Demonstration Services: Revenue from hosting industry events, demonstrations, and classified briefings for defence stakeholders including CANSEC Demo Day and ROAR Defence Conference.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Airmetal product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Airmetal designs, engineers, and manufactures sovereign autonomous systems for defence and security customers, including unmanned aerial platforms and tactical edge-processing payloads. Its product line comprises the FPV v1.0 "Cobra Chicken" tactical FPV drone, the TacMesh single-radio edge-computing payload built on NVIDIA Orin NX, and the TacMesh-Bubble dual-radio payload with native ATAK integration. All platforms are 100% Canadian engineered and manufactured with an ITAR-free supply chain, sold to Canadian Armed Forces, NATO allies, and Five Eyes partner nations.
Product overview
Airmetal develops sovereign autonomous systems comprising unmanned aerial platforms (drones) and tactical communications equipment (radios) for defence applications. The product portfolio centers on three core offerings: the FPV v1.0 "Cobra Chicken" tactical strike drone for precision operations; TacMesh, an edge-processing robotic payload enabling long-range teleoperation and real-time AI-powered sensor fusion; and TacMesh-Bubble, an advanced dual-radio variant of TacMesh with native ATAK integration for coordinated tactical operations. All platforms are 100% Canadian engineering and manufacturing with ITAR-free supply chains, designed for extreme environments from Arctic to maritime operations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TacMesh: Robotic payload for long-range teleoperation and advanced real-time edge processing based on NVIDIA Orin NX GPU with integrated tactical mesh radio.
- TacMesh-Bubble
- FPV v1.0 'Cobra Chicken'
Products and services
- FPV v1.0 "Cobra Chicken" Operator-controlled precision First-Person View (FPV) tactical drone platform built for rugged field deployment with high-agility maneuvering and cost-effective attritable architecture designed for modern tactical strike and precision operations in contested environments. Targeted at defence and special operations customers.
- TacMesh Robotic payload for long-range teleoperation and advanced real-time edge processing based on NVIDIA Orin NX GPU with an integrated tactical mesh radio, enabling seamless control of robotic platforms while ingesting sensor data and streaming processed results back to operators in real time. Supports Persistent Systems Wave-Relay, Silvus Streamcaster, Domo Tactical BluSDR, and Doodle Labs Mesh Rider radios; features 16GB memory, 1024 CUDA-core GPU, 8-core Cortex 64-bit CPU, AES 128/256 encryption, self-healing MANET, up to 100Mbps throughput, and -40C to +85C operating range. Targeted at defence robotic platform operators.
- TacMesh-Bubble (TMB-47) Dual-radio edge-processing payload on the NVIDIA Orin NX platform (Model TMB-47) featuring two integrated tactical mesh radios with cross-manufacturer multi-vendor support (Silvus, Trellisware, Persistent Systems, Domo Tactical, Doodle Labs). Native ATAK/CivTAK integration enables Cursor-on-Target data sharing, real-time blue force tracking overlay, and sensor data overlays on tactical map views; dimensions 175mm x 142mm x 194mm, weight 2.5kg (3.05kg with antennas), 130W peak power. Targeted at defence customers requiring coordinated multi-radio tactical operations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 99.97% system uptime for operational reliability
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Airmetal
Customer profileSegments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Airmetal technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
AI capability9 records
Feature5 records
Airmetal partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Five Eyes Partner NationscorePlatforms designed for interoperability across Five Eyes partner nations ensuring seamless integration with allied intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance architectures. Supports Canadian and allied defence cooperation objectives.
- NATO Allied ForcescorePlatforms designed for seamless integration with NATO allied force structures. Standardized data links, compatible C2 architectures, and interoperable communications ensure coalition readiness across allied operations.
- Prime Defence ContractorsmajorCollaboration with prime defence contractors and system integrators for platform integration into larger force packages, mission systems, and joint operational architectures.
- Persistent SystemscoreWave-Relay tactical mesh radio integrated into TacMesh and TacMesh-Bubble platforms for self-forming and self-healing Mobile Ad-Hoc Network capabilities with up to 10W RF power.
- Silvus TechnologiescoreStreamcaster tactical mesh radio integrated into TacMesh and TacMesh-Bubble platforms. Supports 2x2 up to 3x3 MIMO for exceptional multipath RF performance.
- Domo TacticalcoreBluSDR tactical mesh radio supported in TacMesh platform for multi-vendor mesh networking capabilities across L, S, and C-Band frequencies.
- Doodle LabscoreMesh Rider tactical mesh radio integrated into TacMesh platform for secure tactical communications with self-healing MANET capabilities.
- TrelliswarecoreTrellisware tactical mesh radio supported in TacMesh-Bubble dual-radio platform for cross-manufacturer multi-band mesh networking across allied tactical networks.
- Multiple OEMsminorMultiple OEMs on-site at CANSEC Demo Day event for live demonstrations of sUAS, FPV, USV, and Fixed Wing platforms. Ecosystem of unmanned systems manufacturers participating in defence showcase.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Airmetal competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Lockheed Martin: Global defence prime with a portfolio that includes UAS, integrated C2 architectures, and missile/ORDNANCE systems. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same defence procurement dollars, particularly for joint fires integration work.
- Northrop Grumman: Global defence prime with autonomous systems, tactical communications, and integrated air/ground portfolios. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for tactical UAS, edge computing, and coalition interoperability programmes that Airmetal targets.
- AeroVironment: Established US defence prime for tactical UAS (Switchblade loitering munition, Puma, Wasp). Comparable as a broad incumbent in the attritable tactical UAS and small UAS segment that Airmetal's FPV Cobra Chicken targets, with deeper procurement relationships.
- L3Harris Technologies: US defence prime specializing in tactical communications, electronic warfare, and integrated mission systems. Comparable as a broad incumbent in the tactical mesh radio and integrated C2 space where TacMesh competes.
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems: US prime for medium-altitude military UAS (MQ-9 Reaper) with deep allied Five Eyes integration. Comparable as a broad incumbent defence UAS manufacturer with mature export channels to NATO and Five Eyes customers.
Direct peers
- Anduril Industries: US-based defence tech company building AI-enabled autonomous systems (Roadrunner, Bolt, Ghost) for military and homeland security. Closely comparable to Airmetal's sovereign UAS, AI autonomy, and edge-processing positioning, though at vastly greater scale and capital.
- Shield AI: AI-focused defence UAS company behind the Hivemind autonomy stack and V-BAT platform. Directly comparable to Airmetal's emphasis on on-board AI autonomy, multi-drone coordination, and tactical ISR/strike missions for government customers.
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions: US defence company specializing in attritable tactical UAS (XQ-58 Valkyrie, MQM-178 Firejet) and target systems. Highly comparable to Airmetal's attritable FPV strike platform positioning and contested-environment operational philosophy.
Others
- Persistent Systems: US-based tactical mesh networking company whose Wave-Relay MPU5 radios are integrated into Airmetal's TacMesh. Listed as a peer/partner because it sits in the same tactical-radio ecosystem and competes for the same defence communications budget line.
Emerging players
- Red Cat Holdings (Teal Drones): US-listed sUAS company building tactical drones (Teal 2, Black Widow) for defence and public safety. Comparable as an emerging player in the tactical sUAS segment with a similar government/defence customer focus, though with a larger commercial footprint.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Airmetal social profiles
Digital presenceAirmetal financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Airmetal leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Airmetal funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Airmetal M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Airmetal
What does Airmetal do?
Airmetal designs, engineers, and manufactures sovereign autonomous systems for defence and security customers, including unmanned aerial platforms and tactical edge-processing payloads. Its product line comprises the FPV v1.0 "Cobra Chicken" tactical FPV drone, the TacMesh single-radio edge-computing payload built on NVIDIA Orin NX, and the TacMesh-Bubble dual-radio payload with native ATAK integration. All platforms are 100% Canadian engineered and manufactured with an ITAR-free supply chain, sold to Canadian Armed Forces, NATO allies, and Five Eyes partner nations.
Is Airmetal a public or private company?
Airmetal is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Airmetal founded?
Airmetal was founded in 2021. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Airmetal based?
Airmetal is headquartered in Oceanside, United States, in the North America region.
How does Airmetal make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Defence Platform Sales are the primary driver. The others are defence Integrator Partnerships and event and Demonstration Services.
Who are Airmetal's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, AeroVironment, L3Harris Technologies and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems. Direct peers are Anduril Industries, Shield AI and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. Persistent Systems is listed as an others. Red Cat Holdings (Teal Drones) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Airmetal have an API?
No public API is recorded for Airmetal.
What industry is Airmetal in?
Airmetal's product category is Tactical Unmanned Defence Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAC, Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAIAC, VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.