An updated edition of the Dec 24, 2025 article.The global drone technology market is entering a new phase of expansion, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence (“AI”) and cloud computing.The embedding of AI has made modern drones faster and more versatile than ever. AI incorporation is driving the autonomous navigation functionality of drones, enabling them to autonomously plan their flight paths based on real-time data, such as environmental terrain. The integration of 5G and advanced Wi-Fi techn ...

Tampa, Fla., Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ: DPRO; CSE: DPRO; FSE: 3U8A) (“Draganfly” or the “Company”), an award-winning developer of drone solutions, software, and robotics, today announced an award to provide Flex FPV Drones and Training to U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command units with partner DelMar Aerospace Corporation, a leading provider of advanced uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) training, tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), for U.S. Government customers. The ...

Core Insights - Artificial intelligence (AI) is identified as the greatest investment opportunity of the current era, with a strong emphasis on the urgent need for energy to support its growth [1][2][3] Group 1: AI and Energy Demand - AI technologies, particularly large language models like ChatGPT, are extremely energy-intensive, with data centers consuming as much energy as small cities [2] - The increasing demand for AI is straining global power grids, leading to rising electricity prices and a need for utilities to expand capacity [2] - Industry leaders, including Sam Altman and Elon Musk, have highlighted the critical link between AI development and energy availability, warning of potential shortages [2] Group 2: Investment Opportunity - A specific company is positioned as a key player in the AI energy sector, owning critical energy infrastructure assets that will benefit from the anticipated surge in energy demand from AI data centers [3][7] - This company is not a chipmaker or cloud platform but is described as a "toll booth" operator in the energy market, profiting from the increasing need for electricity [5][6] - The company is debt-free and has significant cash reserves, equating to nearly one-third of its market capitalization, making it an attractive investment option [8] Group 3: Market Position and Growth Potential - The company is involved in large-scale engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects across various energy sectors, including nuclear energy, which is crucial for America's future power strategy [7] - It has a substantial equity stake in another AI-related venture, providing investors with indirect exposure to multiple growth opportunities without the associated premium costs [9] - The stock is currently undervalued, trading at less than seven times earnings, which presents a compelling investment case given its ties to the booming AI and energy sectors [10] Group 4: Future Trends - The ongoing AI infrastructure supercycle, combined with the onshoring boom driven by tariffs, is expected to create significant growth opportunities for the company [14] - The influx of talent into the AI sector is anticipated to drive rapid advancements and innovation, further solidifying the importance of investing in AI-related companies [12] - The overall sentiment is that investing in AI is not just about financial returns but also about participating in a transformative technological revolution [15]

Company Leadership Change - Cameron Chell has been appointed as Executive Chairman of the Board, replacing Scott Larson, who will remain a Board member [1][2] - Chell has served as the CEO of Draganfly since August 2019 [1] Company Overview - Draganfly Inc. is a leading developer of drone solutions, software, and AI systems, recognized for over 25 years in the industry [3] - The company serves various markets including public safety, public health, mining, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying [3] - Draganfly aims to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to customers globally, focusing on saving time, money, and lives [3]

Core Insights - Draganfly Inc. has announced the deployment of its drones integrated with Smith Myers' ARTEMIS Mobile Phone Detection & Location Systems for search and rescue operations [1][2] Group 1: Partnership and Deployment - Search and Rescue Sweden will utilize Draganfly's UAS platforms equipped with Smith Myers ARTEMIS for various public safety tasks, including missing-person recoveries and wilderness rescues [2][8] - The partnership aims to provide a cost-effective and high-performance aerial support solution for critical missions [2][8] Group 2: Technology and Capabilities - The ARTEMIS MPDLS product line offers a maximum range of 35 kilometers and supports up to 48 cellular bands, with payloads ranging from 0.52 kg to 10 kg [3][4] - The integration allows for flexibility in deployment, with lighter APEX drones for rapid reconnaissance and Commander 3XL drones for long-endurance missions [4][8] Group 3: Testing and Validation - Joint flight testing conducted by Draganfly, Smith Myers, and SAR Sweden confirmed that the integrated solution meets or exceeds operational requirements for SAR missions [5][6] - The performance of the systems, particularly in challenging weather conditions, exceeded expectations [6] Group 4: Regulatory Compliance and Market Needs - Recent regulatory changes in Sweden have necessitated a fully compliant UAV solution for public safety missions, which Draganfly's systems provide [7] - The partnership enhances aerial capabilities for SAR Sweden, offering faster deployment and wider search-area coverage compared to traditional methods [8][9] Group 5: Future Prospects - The integration of ARTEMIS payloads across Draganfly's UAV platforms positions the company to support a wide range of operational roles beyond SAR missions [10][12] - The collaboration reinforces Draganfly's commitment to providing efficient solutions for organizations dedicated to saving lives [12]

Core Viewpoint - Draganfly Inc. is set to present at the 28th Annual Needham Growth Conference, highlighting its position as a leading developer of drone solutions and systems [1] Group 1: Company Presentation - The CEO of Draganfly, Cameron Chell, will deliver a presentation on January 14, 2026, at 11:45 a.m. ET in New York City [1] - The company will also conduct one-on-one meetings with institutional investors throughout the day [2] Group 2: Company Overview - Draganfly Inc. is recognized for over 25 years as an industry leader in drone solutions and software, serving various markets including public safety, public health, mining, agriculture, industrial inspections, security, mapping, and surveying [3] - The company aims to provide efficient solutions and first-class services to customers globally, focusing on saving time, money, and lives [3]

Core Viewpoint - Draganfly Inc. (DPRO) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on rising earnings estimates, which significantly influence stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Price Impact - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are strongly correlated with near-term stock price movements [4][6]. - Institutional investors utilize earnings estimates to determine the fair value of stocks, leading to buying or selling actions that affect stock prices [4]. Company Performance and Outlook - The upgrade for Draganfly reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, suggesting that investor sentiment may drive the stock price higher [5]. - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Draganfly has increased by 1.4%, indicating a positive trend in earnings estimates [8]. Zacks Rating System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with a strong historical performance, particularly for Zacks Rank 1 stocks, which have averaged a +25% annual return since 1988 [7]. - Draganfly's upgrade to Zacks Rank 2 places it in the top 20% of Zacks-covered stocks, suggesting a strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro has led to a significant rally in drone stocks, highlighting the effectiveness of unmanned technology in urban warfare [1]. Technology at the Forefront - The operation involved a precision raid in Caracas that relied heavily on aerial dominance [2]. - The raid utilized over 150 aircraft, including numerous remotely piloted drones, which were crucial in dismantling air defense networks and providing real-time intelligence [3]. Drone Stocks Surge - Key players in the drone industry have seen stock prices increase by over 10% as investors shift towards attritable and tactical unmanned hardware [4]. - Specific companies experiencing stock surges include: - AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ:AVAV): Shares have risen significantly due to its loitering munitions and surveillance drones being the gold standard for tactical operations [5]. - Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:RCAT): Gaining momentum as a primary beneficiary of the U.S. Army's shift towards domestically produced ISR drones [5]. - Ondas Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:ONDS): Stock is experiencing heavy volume due to its expansion into autonomous defense and counter-UAS platforms [5]. - Unusual Machines, Inc. (AMEX:UMAC): A critical supplier for American-made drone components, benefiting from the strategic urgency of the "Blue UAS" mandate [5]. - Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ:DPRO): Shares are up over 6% following its selection by the U.S. Army to supply Flex FPV drone systems [5].

Industry Overview - The global drone industry is transitioning from niche applications to mainstream adoption, impacting border defense, surveillance, logistics, and infrastructure monitoring [1] - Increased geopolitical tensions and defense upgrades are driving global drone adoption, with governments allocating more budget to unmanned aerial systems (UAS) [2] - Drones are becoming essential in various sectors, including mining, infrastructure monitoring, real estate, oil and gas exploration, logistics, and filmmaking [3] Technological Advancements - The integration of artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and edge processing is enhancing drone capabilities, making them faster and more versatile [4] - AI is enabling autonomous navigation, allowing drones to plan flight paths based on real-time environmental data [4] - The incorporation of 5G and advanced Wi-Fi technology is improving real-time data transmission, broadening commercial applications [4] Market Growth - The global drone tech market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14.3% from 2025 to 2030, indicating significant growth potential [5] - Companies with strong R&D pipelines, diversified market exposure, and strategic collaborations are well-positioned for success in the evolving drone landscape [5] Company Highlights AeroVironment, Inc. (AVAV) - AVAV is a key beneficiary of rising global demand for UAS, developing uncrewed aircraft and related technologies for defense and allied governments [7] - In Q2 fiscal 2026, AVAV's contract awards reached $3.5 billion, with bookings at $1.4 billion, driven by R&D and manufacturing investments [8] - The company expects revenues between $1.95 billion and $2 billion for fiscal 2026 [11] Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS) - KTOS is positioned to benefit from increased defense budgets, with NATO and Pacific allies expected to spend 5% of GDP on defense [13] - The company reported Q3 revenues of $347.6 million, a 26% year-over-year increase, and projects Q4 revenues of $320-$330 million [15] - KTOS is expanding its capabilities through acquisitions and collaborations, including the acquisition of Orbit Technologies [14] Draganfly Inc. (DPRO) - DPRO develops various drone systems, including the Commander 3XL and medical response drones, with a focus on military and public safety applications [16] - The company secured a significant U.S. Army FPV drone order, which includes supply chain support and training [17] - DPRO achieved 14.4% year-over-year revenue growth, supported by rising product sales [18]

Core Insights - Critical Infrastructure Technologies Ltd. (CiTech) has signed a Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with Babcock International Group PLC and Draganfly Inc. to enhance defense and security capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region [1][2] Group 1: Collaboration Overview - The collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of three companies in defense engineering, advanced technology integration, unmanned systems, and operational delivery [2][6] - The partnership will provide sophisticated, scalable solutions for governments, military forces, and national-security stakeholders [2][6] Group 2: Company Profiles - Babcock International Group is a leading UK defense contractor, providing mission-critical engineering and support services, with a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific defense markets [3][9] - CiTech specializes in advanced engineering capabilities and technology-driven solutions for defense and critical infrastructure, focusing on digital architectures and resilient mission environments [4][12] - Draganfly Inc. is recognized for its unmanned aerial systems and sensor-driven data solutions, with recent military sales validating its operational maturity [5][10] Group 3: Strategic Focus Areas - The collaboration will address key areas such as national defense modernization, border and maritime security, disaster response, and critical infrastructure protection [6][7] - The combined strengths of the three companies position them to meet the Asia-Pacific region's defense priorities, focusing on security resilience and rapid-response technologies [7]