Advancing U.S.-Made Tactical UAVs for Defense and Public Safety

Teal Drones, founded by George Matus in 2015, has evolved from a consumer drone startup into a key player in the U.S. defense and public safety sectors. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and operating as a subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings, Teal focuses on developing advanced, American-made small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) that meet the stringent requirements of military and government applications.

Company Evolution and Mission

Initially targeting the consumer market with high-speed, modular drones, Teal shifted its focus to defense applications in response to growing concerns over foreign-manufactured UAVs. This strategic pivot aimed to address the U.S. Department of Defense’s emphasis on domestically produced, secure drone technologies. Teal’s mission centers on enhancing warfighter capabilities and public safety operations through reliable, advanced sUAS solutions.

Product Portfolio

Teal 2

The Teal 2 is a military-grade sUAS designed for short-range reconnaissance missions. Key features include:

• Night Operations: Equipped with advanced imaging systems for low-light environments.
• Autonomous Navigation: Utilizes AI-driven software for GPS-denied operations.
• Modular Design: Allows for payload customization to suit various mission requirements.

The Teal 2 has received Remote ID certification from the FAA and is listed on the Department of Defense’s Blue UAS Cleared List, affirming its compliance with U.S. military standards.

Black Widow

The Black Widow is a next-generation, military-grade small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) developed by Teal Drones, a subsidiary of Red Cat Holdings. Engineered for short-range reconnaissance missions, it is specifically designed to operate effectively in Electronic Warfare (EW) environments. Notably, the Black Widow was selected by the U.S. Army for its Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record, underscoring its advanced capabilities and reliability.

Key Features:

• Advanced Imaging Systems: Equipped with the Teledyne FLIR Hadron 640R+ sensor suite, the Black Widow offers high-resolution electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) imagery. The EO sensor delivers 64 MP stills and 4K video at 30 fps, while the IR sensor provides radiometric thermal imaging, enhancing situational awareness in diverse lighting conditions.
• Autonomous Navigation: Utilizes Palantir’s Visual Navigation (VNav) software, enabling GPS-independent operation through computer vision and onboard satellite imagery. This capability ensures accurate navigation in GPS-denied or contested environments.
• EW Resilience: Incorporates Doodle Labs’ Helix Mesh Rider Radio with frequency-stepping technology, providing robust anti-jamming communication links essential for EW operations.
• Modular Design: Features a fully modular architecture, allowing for swift adaptation to various mission requirements, including the integration of secondary payloads via an integrated Picatinny rail system.
• Stealth Operations: Capable of operating in “stealth mode,” the Black Widow can execute missions with radios turned off, minimizing electronic signatures and enhancing survivability.

The Black Widow’s combination of advanced imaging, autonomous navigation, EW resilience, and modular design positions it as a versatile and reliable asset for modern military operations.

Golden Eagle

The Golden Eagle is another sUAS developed by Teal, focusing on short-range reconnaissance with features such as:

• EO/IR Sensors: Provides both electro-optical and infrared imaging capabilities.
• Onboard Computing: Supports autonomous missions and advanced processing.

This platform emphasizes ease of use, reliability, and effectiveness in various operational scenarios.

Strategic Partnerships and Technological Advancements

Teal Drones has established several partnerships to enhance its technological capabilities:

• Palladyne AI: Integration of Palladyne’s Pilot software to enable autonomous operations in GPS-denied environments.
• Primordial Labs: Incorporation of AI-driven voice control technology to improve operator interaction with drones.
• Doodle Labs: Collaboration on developing communication systems for the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program.
• Ocean Power Technologies: Integration of Teal 2 drones with maritime surveillance platforms for comprehensive air-sea defense missions.

Government Contracts and Recognition

Teal Drones has secured significant contracts and recognition from U.S. government agencies:

• U.S. Army SRR Program: Selected as the winner of the Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance Program, with plans to supply approximately 11,700 drones, potentially generating around $260 million in revenue.
• Customs and Border Protection: Received orders for 106 Teal 2 drone systems to enhance border surveillance capabilities.
• Utah Manufacturing Modernization Grant: Awarded $750,000 to modernize manufacturing processes and strengthen the domestic drone supply chain.

Funding and Financial Growth

Teal Drones has raised a total of $7 million over five funding rounds, with notable investors including New Enterprise Associates, Pelion Venture Partners, and Decathlon Capital Partners.

Following the SRR program selection, Teal’s parent company, Red Cat Holdings, experienced a significant increase in stock value, reflecting investor confidence in Teal’s growth prospects.

Future Outlook

With its selection for the U.S. Army’s SRR program and ongoing technological partnerships, Teal Drones is poised to expand its presence in the defense and public safety sectors. The company’s focus on American-made, secure, and advanced sUAS solutions aligns with national priorities for enhancing domestic drone capabilities.