Red Cat Holdings, Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Teal Drones, has received approval for its Black Widow System to be included in the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) catalogue. According to the announcement, this approval enables NATO member countries and eligible partners to acquire the Black Widow drone through NSPA-managed channels, streamlining access to U.S.-manufactured drone technology.
The Black Widow is a lightweight, portable small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS) designed for tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations, perimeter security, and overwatch missions. Red Cat mentioned that the system weighs under 3 pounds and can be deployed by a single operator in just a few minutes. It features advanced EO/IR sensors, including the Teledyne FLIR Hadron 640R camera optimized for both day and night operations, and provides over 45 minutes of flight time with encrypted, high-bandwidth communications for secure data transfer. The modular payload system allows integration with third-party AI and computer vision applications for 3D mapping, target acquisition, and mission decision support.
Geoffrey Hitchcock, Chief Revenue Officer at Red Cat, highlighted that the Black Widow offers allied forces a rugged, rapidly deployable ISR capability with minimal training requirements. He added that availability through NSPA simplifies cross-border acquisition and sustainment, enabling faster deployment while ensuring compatibility with NATO operational standards.
The Black Widow’s inclusion in the NSPA catalogue is based on a three-year contract, with options for two additional years. According to Red Cat, this designation confirms the system’s readiness for allied missions while adhering to rigorous government procurement standards.
Red Cat stated that this milestone strengthens its position in the international defense market and demonstrates its commitment to providing advanced, U.S.-manufactured drone solutions to NATO members and partners.
