Swarm Defense Technologies secures $25M order for 4,000 Kiwi attack drones

Swarm Defense Technologies has secured a prototype delivery order for 4,000 Kiwi one-way attack quadcopters under the U.S. Department of War’s Drone Dominance Program. The contract has a minimum value of $25 million, which includes munitions.

The order follows the Gauntlet II evaluation at Fort Carson, Colorado, where military operators tested competing aircraft in unscripted mission scenarios. The Kiwi drones are designed to be operated by a single pilot managing dozens of aircraft simultaneously using the company’s Strike Deck ground control software, which automates waypoint navigation and flight coordination. Beyond attack missions, the drones can be utilized for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).

Swarm Defense will manufacture the aircraft at its 40,000-square-foot facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The company originated from Firefly Drone Shows, a major American manufacturer of light-show drones. The two entities share engineering and manufacturing resources to support the development of swarming technology and integrated electronics.