The companies are collaborating to produce a cutting edge, U.S.-built drone using additive manufacturing.
SAN DIEGO—Defense tech and 3D printing company Firestorm Labs. Inc., and the drone manufacturer Orqa are partnering to produce a cutting edge drone designed to meet the needs of the U.S. military and the nation’s allies, according to a release from Orqa.
The companies are working to produce the Firestorm Squall, a U.S.-built drone with NDAA-compliant components. Described as a “Group 1 First Point of View (FPV) quadcopter,” the Firestorm Squall reportedly combines “Orqa’s battle-tested technology with Firestorm’s advanced manufacturing capabilities,” which include additive manufacturing (3D printing).
A Firestorm Squall in flight. (Image courtesy Orqa/Firestorm Labs)
Firestorm Labs is a defense tech company that focuses on “solving contested logistics through expeditionary manufacturing.” Orqa is a developer and manufacturer of NDAA-compliant drones. Their partnership gives Orqa access to Firestorm’s expertise and U.S. based infrastructure, and will enable advanced unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to be built and distributed to U.S. Department of Defense customers at scale, according to the release.
“In the world of FPV technology, there’s no better manufacturer than Orqa,” said Dan Magy, co-founder and CEO of Firestorm, in the release. “Their frontline experience in Ukraine enables them to create components that are second to none. If your life’s on the line, you want Orqa.”
The partnership to produce Firestorm Squall systems at scale is said to build on a long-standing history of collaboration between the two companies, setting the stage for further technology sharing and in-theater platform development. “Together, this partnership will provide our warfighters with what they need to win—mass-produced, affordable high-tech drones,” the release stated.
“In a very short amount of time, Firestorm emerged a clear leader in the crowded world of UAS innovation, and we’re delighted to partner with them on this mission-critical system,” said Srdjan Kovacevic, co-founder and CEO of Orqa, in the release. “Their additive manufacturing capabilities are truly ground-breaking within the industry, and their commitment to precision and quality is evident in every facet of their operation.”
Firestorm Labs’s mission is to equip warfighters with mission-critical capabilities at the point of need. The company’s xCell platforms are said to deliver containerized, expeditionary manufacturing capabilities, enabling production and sustainment of its proprietary modular, rapidly configurable unmanned aerial systems, as well as parts, components, and full systems made by a growing ecosystem of partner OEMs.
Orqa describes itself as a “world-leading developer and manufacturer of drones made without Chinese components.” Its vertically integrated production model is said to ensure that every key component is designed, engineered, and built in-house, delivering full supply chain sovereignty.
“With capacity to produce up to 280,000 fully NDAA-compliant drones per year—and a roadmap to one million annually through its Global Manufacturing Partnership Program—Orqa provides dual-use technology platforms for both enterprise and defense applications,” the release stated.