Machina Labs Wins a Pentagon Trial to Build LUCAS-Class Drone Airframes in Container Factories
Machina Labs says the Pentagon picked it to qualify a robot-formed metal airframe for a LUCAS-class drone and deploy two pilot Edge Factories. Bloomberg reports $9 million over 18 months. The CEO says future drone orders are not guaranteed.
Bloomberg puts the award at $9 million over 18 months, and the company's chief executive says it carries no guarantee of drone orders.
Machina Labs said on Nov. 6 that the Department of War selected it to develop and qualify a robot-formed metal airframe for a LUCAS-class attack drone and to deploy two pilot "Edge Factories" to build it. The Los Angeles manufacturer received a $9 million contract for an 18-month trial, Bloomberg reported. Machina's release gives no value or duration. The company calls it its largest single award.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Machina Labs announce on Nov. 6?
That the Department of War selected it, under the Organic Industrial Base Modernization Challenge, to develop and qualify a robot-formed metal airframe for a LUCAS-class drone and to deploy two pilot Edge Factories to build it. Its defense subsidiary, Machina Bellator, leads the work.
How much is the award worth?
Bloomberg reported a $9 million contract for an 18-month trial. Machina's release gives no value or duration, and the America Makes winners list says only that awards run up to $15 million.
Is this an order for LUCAS drones?
No. Chief executive Ed Mehr told Bloomberg the initial contract is meant to prove the technology rather than purchase large numbers of drones, and that future orders are not guaranteed.
Who builds LUCAS today?
Arizona's SpektreWorks. The government owns the design, so several manufacturers could build it, though SpektreWorks held the manufacturing contracts as of March, per Reuters.
What has not been disclosed?
Where the two factories will go, how many airframes they must produce, and whether the metal airframe would replace the SpektreWorks airframe. Machina's release says "LUCAS-class."
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
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Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.