Performance Drone Works (PDW)
US drone maker developing tactical uncrewed aircraft systems, including the C100 Blue UAS candidate for defense and security missions.
Background
Performance Drone Works is a US company in the drones and uncrewed aircraft systems category, focused on tactical systems for defense, public-safety, and security users.
Its known technology focus includes the C100, a Blue UAS/tactical drone candidate positioned for field operations where portability, secure control, and mission adaptability matter.
The company sits in the small-UAS segment rather than the large Group 3-5 aircraft market, emphasizing deployable platforms for operators that need rugged reconnaissance and tactical support capability.
Linked records
Wired to the rest of BattlePolicy — the systems it builds in the Lexicon and the contracts it wins in the Procurement Tracker. Every link below is a record in our own datasets.
- none linked yet
- none linked yet
Financial footing
Major customers & contracts
Joined live from the Procurement & Contracts Tracker — real award/announcement records.
| Customer | System | Scale / detail | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM (MLRS) IMPROVED ARMOR CAB (IAC) KITS | MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM (MLRS) IMPROVED ARMOR CAB (IAC) KITS | signed |
Leadership & contact surface
Competitive position
Performance Drone Works competes in a crowded tactical UAS field that includes Skydio, Teal Drones, BRINC, AeroVironment, and Shield AI. Its edge is focus: a purpose-built tactical drone candidate can be optimized around soldier use, secure supply chains, and field maintainability rather than broad commercial features. The weakness is scale and proof.
Larger rivals have deeper procurement relationships, mature production, and broader software ecosystems, while defense buyers increasingly demand demonstrated reliability, cybersecurity compliance, and sustainment capacity. PDW’s position depends on turning the C100 from a promising tactical platform into a repeatable, supportable program.
Battlefield relevance
No confirmed combat use to date.