What Pendleton UAS Range does

Pendleton UAS Range (PUR), operated by the City of Pendleton, Oregon, is a municipal UAS testing and development facility established in 2014 that provides 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace under certificates of authorization, with a 15,000 feet MSL flight ceiling, 300+ VFR days per year, and access to 50+ diverse climates and terrains within a single range. The company serves defense contractors, military programs, government agencies (DoD, DHS, law enforcement), commercial UAS developers, and academic and R&D institutions — supporting named customers including AeroVironment, Insitu, Poseidon Aero, Rainmaker, and Khaero across 180+ programs and 65,000+ UAS operations. Its core product is the UAS testing range, supplemented by a vertically integrated support stack including seven purpose-built hangars (Flex I/II/III, B-17, Trapezoid, Transient, Pace), 16 test pads with 10 Gbps fiber, a 40,000 sq. ft. indoor GPS-denied test facility, mobile command centers, an on-site machine shop (operated by Sigma Design), and the 160-acre Phase IV UAS Industrial Park.

The company generates revenue through multiple streams: hangar and facility leasing (daily/weekly/monthly and 1/3/5-year term contracts), 2-week modular military drone training courses delivered with DelMar Aerospace ($2,000–$2,500/person), counter-UAS Red Force testing powered by Gambit AI's adaptive swarm intelligence, Phase IV industrial park leases, and a DTC print-on-demand merchandise store. Pricing for range services is largely quote-based; only training courses and merchandise are publicly priced. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales, requiring submission of a Mission Requirements Document (MRD) and direct engagement with the business development team. Pendleton UAS Range is structured as a municipal government entity rather than a privately-held company, with no public listing, no outside investment, and a copyright holder of "City of Pendleton." The "DRONETOWN, USA" trademarked brand identity positions the range as a long-term hub for unmanned systems development.

Name

Pendleton UAS Range

Legal name

City of Pendleton

Website

https://pendletonuasrange.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Pendleton UAS Range is a municipal UAS testing and development facility in Pendleton, Oregon, providing 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace, integrated hangars, test pads, and counter-UAS Red Force services to defense contractors, military programs, government agencies, and commercial UAS developers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

UAS Testing Range and Counter-UAS Services

NAICS

Other Support Activities for Air Transportation (488190), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Detection & Defeat Systems (IMABAOAN), UAS Launch/Recovery & Support Equipment (Catapults, Nets, Docking) (IMABAIAN), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)

Keywords

• UAS testing range
• Counter-UAS threat emulation
• Military drone training
• UAV hangar leasing
• FAA-approved airspace testing

Headquarters

HQ city

Pendleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Hangar and Facility Leasing: Pendleton UAS Range generates revenue through leasing hangar space (Flex I, Flex II, Flex III, B-17 Hangar, Trapezoid Hangar, Transient Hangar, Pace Hangars) and test pad rentals. Hangars are offered at daily/weekly/monthly rates as well as 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year term contracts with discounts for tenants with 10+ on-site full-time employees.
2. Military Drone Training Courses: Modular 2-week military drone training courses delivered in partnership with DelMar Aerospace. Training tracks include Apprentice sUAS, Journeyman sUAS (ISR), Journeyman FPV, and Master-level courses at fixed per-person pricing ($2,000-$2,500/person).
3. Counter-UAS Red Force Testing Services: Pendleton Swarm Threat Emulation delivers Red Force as a Service for counter-UAS testing and training. The Standard cUAS Red Force Package includes up to 5 drone platforms, up to 5 days of support, unlimited flights, customizable threat profiles, executive summary, and flight log data. Pricing is quote-based.
4. Industrial Park Leasing (Phase IV): 160-acre shovel-ready industrial park at the Pendleton Airport with multiple parcels available for development, offering flexible lot sizes, utility access, and private gated entry options for companies scaling UAS operations.
5. Branded Merchandise E-commerce: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, polo shirts, caps, beanies), posters, and embroidered patches. Products are print-on-demand, fulfilled by Printful, Inc. with no minimum order quantities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Pendleton UAS Range operates an FAA-approved UAS testing and development ecosystem encompassing 14,000 square miles of airspace, multiple purpose-built hangars, 16 test pads, an indoor GPS-denied facility, and a 160-acre industrial park. It sells counter-UAS swarm threat emulation services (Red Force as a Service) in partnership with Gambit AI, structured military drone training programs with DelMar Aerospace, and concierge-level mission support including on-site machine shop and command centers. Branded print-on-demand merchandise is offered through an ancillary gear store.

Product overview

Pendleton UAS Range operates as a comprehensive UAS testing and development ecosystem with a unified portfolio centered on its 14,000 square mile FAA-approved testing range. The core offering is the UAS Testing & Development Range, supplemented by military drone training programs (Apprentice through Master-level courses), Counter-UAS Red Force testing services powered by Gambit AI, and mission support infrastructure including hangars (Flex I/II/III, B-17), test pads (16 pads plus Bomber Pads), remote test sites, and an indoor GPS-denied facility. The 160-acre Phase IV Industrial Park provides real estate for companies scaling operations. A consumer Gear Store offers branded merchandise. Together these form an end-to-end proving ground from testing facilities through training and into commercialization.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DRONETOWN, USA™: A trademarked brand identity and declaration positioning Pendleton, Oregon as the premier UAS testing location in America.

Products and services

• UAS Testing & Development Range Core UAS testing facility offering 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace with a 15,000 ft MSL flight ceiling, 300+ VFR days per year, and 50+ climates and terrains. Supports high-altitude long-endurance flights, swarming, rocket-assisted takeoffs, and unproven mission profiles for defense, government, commercial UAS, and academic customers.
• Military Drone Training Courses Structured training tracks (Apprentice sUAS $2,000/person, Journeyman-sUAS ISR $2,250/person, Journeyman-FPV $2,250/person, Master $2,500/person) covering UAS fundamentals, ISR tactics, battlefield navigation, FPV, swarm operations, counter-UAS, GPS-denied navigation, and Red/Blue team war games.
• Counter-UAS Red Force Package Pendleton Swarm Threat Emulation service validating counter-UAS systems against coordinated multi-drone threats. Standard package includes up to 5 multicopter/fixed-wing drone platforms, up to 5 days of Red Force support, unlimited flights, customizable threat profiles, multi-axis approach scenarios, executive summary, and flight log data. Quote-based pricing.
• Flex Hangars (Flex I, Flex II, Flex III) Leased hangar facilities at Pendleton Airport. Flex III totals 18,000 sq. ft. with three 6,000 sq. ft. bays, full-rated mezzanine, 60' wide bi-fold doors, and 789 sq. ft. of attached office space; Flex II offers two private bathrooms per bay, mezzanine, and short-term rates.
• B-17 Hangar 33,000 sq. ft. open-span hangar designed for large-scale operations or short-term transient missions, with flexible workspace, on-site machine shop, 3D printing lab, and direct access to over one million sq. ft. of apron parking.
• UAS Test Pads 16 test pads at Pendleton Airport, each 50'x50' or greater, equipped with 240v 50amp or 120v 30amp power, water, and up to 10 Gbps fiber; includes Bomber Pads (WWII-era cement sites) for VTOL testing and long-term operations.
• Mission Support Services Concierge-level mission support including on-site machine shop with CNC, laser cutters, and 3D printers (Sigma Design), mobile and fixed command centers, indoor GPS-denied test facility, Botlink XRD2 BVLOS C2 hardware/software, Sift telemetry observability, and transport/storage equipment.
• Remote Test Sites Access to 14,000 square miles of FAA-approved airspace beyond the airport, providing diverse terrains such as high desert, open farmland, forested areas, river corridors, and mountainous terrain for durability and reliability testing.
• Phase IV UAS Industrial Park 160-acre shovel-ready industrial park at Pendleton Airport with direct runway/taxiway access, flexible lot sizes, utility access, and private gated entry options for companies advancing unmanned systems and aerospace.
• Gear Store (Branded Merchandise) E-commerce store offering print-on-demand branded apparel (t-shirts, hoodies, polo shirts), headwear (caps, beanies), accessories (embroidered patches), and posters under the DRONETOWN USA and PUR brands, fulfilled by Printful, Inc. with no minimum order quantities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180+ customers and programs supported since 2014
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DelMar AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDelMar Aerospace delivers modular 2-week military drone training courses at Pendleton UAS Range, covering Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master-level programs in small UAS operations (sUAS), FPV drone tactics, ISR flight planning, swarm operations, counter-UAS, and GPS-denied navigation. The partnership enables Pendleton to offer structured training alongside its testing infrastructure.
• Gambit AIcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGambit AI provides adaptive swarm intelligence enabling Pendleton Swarm Threat Emulation — Red Force as a Service for counter-UAS testing and training. Gambit delivers coordinated drone behavior against which counter-UAS systems can be tested and validated. Pendleton provides controlled airspace, infrastructure, and operational governance. Together they create a realistic non-kinetic evaluation environment where counter-UAS systems are tested against coordinated adversary behavior rather than predictable flight paths.
• Sigma DesigncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSigma Design operates the on-site machine shop at Pendleton UAS Range, providing CNC machining, laser cutting, 3D printing, and flight simulator equipment. A full-service product development and engineering firm with ISO 9001:2015 QMS and 27001:2013 ISMS certifications, supporting defense, aerospace, and unmanned systems industries from concept through production.
• Oregon UAS AcceleratorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Oregon UAS Accelerator provides technical mentorship for battlefield UAS assembly and manufacturing programs at Pendleton. Also referenced in connection with the UAS Industry Jobs board and broader Oregon UAS ecosystem development.
• Printful, Inc.minorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerPrintful, Inc. is the print-on-demand fulfillment provider for Pendleton UAS Range's branded merchandise store (Gear Store). Products are manufactured and shipped by Printful after an order is placed, including t-shirts, hoodies, caps, posters, and embroidered patches.
• Mailchimp (Intuit Inc.)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerMailchimp is used as the marketing automation platform for Pendleton UAS Range's email newsletters, marketing communications, and service updates. Email address and engagement data are stored and processed by Mailchimp to deliver communications and measure engagement (opens, link clicks).
• Rees Training CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRees Training Center provides on-site lodging options for military personnel and trainees attending courses at Pendleton UAS Range, complementing the training programs delivered with DelMar Aerospace.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Anduril Industries: Defense technology company developing autonomous systems and counter-UAS solutions (Lattice platform, Ghost UAS). While not a test range, Anduril represents the broader defense tech incumbent competing for the same DoD cUAS testing and procurement dollars that PUR customers serve.

Direct peers

• GrandSky UAS Test Site: Large UAS test site at Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota focused on cold-weather testing, BVLOS, and defense UAS programs. Directly comparable as a range-based UAS testing infrastructure operator serving military and commercial customers.
• Alaska Center for UAS Integration (ACUASI): FAA UAS test site at the University of Alaska Fairbanks focused on cold-weather, BVLOS, and integration testing for Arctic and remote operations. Comparable academic-affiliated test range operator.
• NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance): FAA-designated UAS test site operating airspace in New York for BVLOS, advanced operations, and UAS integration testing. Directly competes with PUR for commercial and government UAS testing programs using shared airspace authorizations.
• Kansas State University UAS Test Site (Polytechnic Campus): FAA UAS test site offering fixed-wing and rotorcraft UAS testing, BVLOS operations, and UAS training. Directly comparable academic test range operator serving defense and commercial customers.
• Lone Star UAS Center of Excellence and Innovation (Texas A&M): FAA UAS test site based at Texas A&M providing airspace testing, training, and UAS integration research. Directly competes in counter-UAS evaluation, payload testing, and military UAS validation programs.
• Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (Virginia Tech): FAA UAS test site operated by Virginia Tech providing BVLOS testing, UAS research, and integration services. Comparable academic/research-backed range operator addressing defense and commercial UAS testing needs.
• Choctaw Nation UAS Test Site: Tribal-affiliated UAS test range in southeastern Oklahoma offering FAA-approved airspace, hangar facilities, and UAS flight testing. Comparable as a regional testing facility targeting the same defense and commercial UAS market.
• Panhandle UAS Range: UAS test range in the Texas/Oklahoma panhandle region offering FAA-approved airspace, counter-UAS testing, and military UAS training. Closely comparable value proposition of integrated range + training + cUAS services.

Emerging players

• Dedrone by Axon: Counter-UAS detection and defeat solutions company with command-and-control software. Comparable as a cUAS-focused player that requires realistic Red Force testing environments — a potential PUR customer for swarm threat emulation services.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pendletonUAS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pendletonuasrange
• Facebookfacebook.com/pendletonUAS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pendletonuas
• Instagraminstagram.com/pendletonuas/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pendleton UAS Range