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Ukrainian Drone Maker F-Drones Launches First US Production Line in Ohio
F-Drones, a leading Ukrainian military drone manufacturer, will produce its FPV strike and interceptor drones in Ohio, marking the first authorized export of Ukrainian military drones to the US.
The gist
F-Drones is establishing its inaugural US production facility in Ohio to supply advanced military drones to the US armed forces, bypassing Chinese components.
Continuing coverage
All Unmanned Aerial Systems →F-Drones, a Ukrainian producer of small uncrewed weapons, has announced plans to establish its first-ever production line in the United States. The company is known for its first-person view (FPV) quadcopters that have played a prominent role throughout the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. These drones serve multiple purposes including kinetic strikes, reconnaissance, and counter-unmanned aerial system (UAS) defense. The new US facility will mark a significant milestone as F-Drones becomes the first Ukrainian drone manufacturer authorized by Kyiv to export military drone systems to the US military.
In May 2026, the Pentagon selected F-Drones to supply its military with these unmanned systems as part of an effort to equip frontline combat units with effective small drones. The absence of Chinese-made components in F-Drones products proved pivotal, as US military procurement policies disqualify drones containing Chinese parts. Consequently, this contract represents the first official approval by Ukrainian authorities to export such military technology to the United States.
The newly announced production line will be operated through F-Drones' American partner, Ukrainian Defense Drones (UDD), and located in Lucas County, Ohio, near the industrial city of Toledo. F-Drones CEO Stas Khutor emphasized that manufacturing the drones on US soil enhances both nations’ security and technological cooperation. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur highlighted the strategic importance of this investment for Ohio's economy and industrial base, underscoring the region’s growing aerospace and defense sector.
F-Drones was founded in 2023 and swiftly became a key drone supplier for Ukrainian forces, developing unique platforms designed to address the demands of modern warfare. Its flagship products include the F10 strike drone and the F7 drone interceptor. The F10 is a conventional quadrotor equipped with an FPV camera and explosive payload, optimized for attacking armored vehicles, equipment, and personnel.
The F7 interceptor drone fills a critical need for countering massed kamikaze attacks such as those posed by Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 drones, which have inflicted significant damage on US assets in the Middle East, including various aircraft and bombers. Unlike costly air defenses, the F7 offers a cost-effective solution through high-speed, agile interception. Designed with an X-wing tail-sitting shape and four rear-facing propellers, it can outmaneuver targets and conduct multiple attack runs.
Operating at speeds up to 200 knots, the F7 interceptor is equipped with daylight and thermal imaging along with GPS-denied inertial navigation. Its remote control extends to engagement ranges of 40 kilometers, with experimental flights reaching 80 kilometers. The system features an automatic terminal guidance mode that allows it to autonomously home in on targets after initial human input, and it carries an explosive warhead triggered by impact or operator command.
This contract with the Pentagon is part of the $1 billion Drone Dominance program and encompasses an initial procurement of 2,000 FPV drone systems. Ohio's strategic positioning is strengthened by the local presence of other aerospace and defense companies, including GE Aerospace, AeroVironment, and Anduril Industries, signaling a shift towards advanced manufacturing and development in the US Rust Belt.
The US Air Force’s research and logistics centers, based at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, further bolster Ohio’s role as a defense innovation hub. The new production line not only aids US military capabilities by delivering advanced, domestically produced drone systems free from Chinese technology risk, but also fortifies US-Ukraine defense industrial collaboration amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Establishing this production line enables the rapid scaling of unmanned aerial system production for frontline operations and integrated air defense, areas where US military had faced challenges. It positions Ohio as a critical node in modern drone warfare supply chains and signifies a broader effort to diversify sources and manufactures of tactical unmanned aerial systems outside of China’s pervasive influence.
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According to EPS, they provide 60 minutes of usable flight time with 30 minutes of reserve for trainer, eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing), and "thin-haul" aircraft, which are used for very short trips with a handful of passengers. Whisper said the aircraft "completed its planned objectives," which included validating its propulsion integration, battery, control, and other systems. At full throttle at 100 feet agl, Whisper said the engines were quieter than the airframe itself. Ian Villa, co-founder and chief operating officer, told The Air Current that the glider can generate substantial noise without engines. Flown during the early morning, the aircraft produced about 52 dB(A) of noise compared to 34 dB(A) background noise, Whisper said. "The ability to fly within the soundscapes of even rural environments…will be critical for flights of FAA MOSAIC aircraft," the company added. The Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) took effect in phases over the past few months and permits electric propulsion systems in the light-sport aircraft (LSA) category. More to Come Whisper said the test campaign "reduces risk" for the eQ250's larger civil and defense applications. The company is developing its JetFoil integration for STOL and VTOL aircraft, designed to enable runway independence. The JetFoil distributes ducted fan engines across the entire leading edge of the wing and would enable near-vertical takeoffs with 50 feet of ground roll. Whisper claims it will do so using half the thrust of tilt-rotor VTOL aircraft while offering more range and double the payload. Villa earlier this year told FLYING that Whisper is in talks with government customers to build and fly JetFoil-equipped prototypes, the idea being that they could be transitioned to commercial manufacturers who could bring them to market. For example, one could swap the de Havilland Twin Otter's high wing for a JetFoil and hybrid-electric powertrain. Whisper said the testing will further support its Collaborative Logistics Aircraft (CLA) program with the U.S. Air Force. The CLA concept is similar to the service's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) framework, which pairs crewed fighter jets with uncrewed "loyal wingmen." Instead, CLA aircraft would carry between 500 and 3,000 pounds of cargo and operate from austere or degraded runways. Whisper is studying two CLA concepts that incorporate 12 and 30 eQ250 engines on the leading edge of the wing, using the JetFoil integration. According to the company, at 250 knots, the CLA aircraft would generate reduced noise and heat signatures compared to models they could replace. Whisper in May 2025 said that initial CLA flight testing would begin in 2027 at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. 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