Defense Drone Collaboration Targets Modular, Multi-System Integration

Red Cat Holdings (NASDAQ: RCAT) announced a partnership with AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) to integrate its FANG FPV tactical drones as deployable payloads from AeroVironment’s P550 all-electric Group 2 eVTOL unmanned aircraft system.

The collaboration marks a major step toward modular and interoperable defense technologies, reflecting the U.S. military’s push for open-architecture, multi-system drone operations.

“Marsupial” Deployment System Enables Multi-Layered Missions

Under the partnership, the companies are developing a “marsupial” configuration that enables the long-range P550 drone to carry, release, and control FANG drones mid-flight using AeroVironment’s CLIK modular interface.

By leveraging the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), the project aims to demonstrate how drones from different classes can coordinate missions, extend surveillance range, and enhance tactical flexibility for U.S. and allied forces.

“This partnership showcases how open architectures and modular payloads can transform multi-drone operations,” said a Red Cat spokesperson. “We’re validating a roadmap for next-generation, multi-echelon defense systems.”

Platform Capabilities

AeroVironment P550: An autonomous Group 2 electric VTOL platform with five-hour endurance, 15-lb payload capacity, and AI-enabled autonomy. Built with open-architecture adaptability to host a wide range of mission payloads.
Red Cat FANG FPV: A first-person-view tactical drone from the Arachnid Family of Systems, NDAA-compliant and optimized for ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance) and close-range situational awareness missions.

When deployed from the P550, FANG extends visual reach beyond line of sight, providing agile, precision support to long-range unmanned operations. Future versions are expected to carry additional payloads for expanded mission sets.

Joint Testing and Future Roadmap

The companies are jointly developing engineering, control, and integration frameworks, with live test demonstrations planned in upcoming phases.

If successful, the system could pave the way for a scalable, modular drone architecture, allowing warfighters to deploy multiple drones simultaneously for real-time situational awareness, enhanced ISR, and combat agility.