- ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA) benefits from a new U.S. Department of Defense directive streamlining military drone acquisition.
- The directive allows direct drone purchases by field commanders without UAS certification, boosting market opportunities.
- ZenaTech's drone portfolio, including ZenaDrone 1000, is now classified as expendable and ready for rapid deployment.
ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA) has responded positively to a ground-breaking policy directive issued by the U.S. Department of Defense which could significantly expedite the procurement process for small military drones. The directive, announced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, designates Group 1-2 drones as expendable assets, thereby removing the requirement for Green or Blue UAS certification. This reclassification allows ZenaTech’s entire drone lineup—including the ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square, and IQ Nano—to be purchased directly by field commanders. This change potentially accelerates adoption and market penetration within U.S. military operations.
The memo sets forth an ambitious implementation timeline, calling for experimental formations by September 2025, squad-level drone equipment by fiscal year 2026, and full UAS training integration by 2027. This directive aligns with ZenaTech's existing products and business model, which include AI-enabled drones with versatile capabilities and the Drone as a Service (DaaS) model tailored for defense applications.
The Pentagon's policy marks a significant shift in military procurement practices by treating drones as consumable items rather than durable equipment. This simplification in classification could result in streamlined acquisition processes, reduced bureaucratic hurdles, and expanded market opportunities for manufacturers like ZenaTech. CEO Shaun Passley highlighted this change as a transformative opportunity for the company, indicating plans to scale manufacturing to meet the anticipated demand surge.
ZenaTech’s flagship product, the ZenaDrone 1000, has already been tested through paid trials with the U.S. Air Force and Navy Reserve, highlighting its potential in critical cargo delivery missions. The company's other offerings, the IQ Square and IQ Nano, target specific operational needs such as line-of-sight land surveys and indoor operations in GPS-denied environments, respectively.
ZenaTech's strategic move into the defense sector through this directive is anticipated to leverage its technological advancements in AI and autonomous systems, reinforcing its position as a key player in the rapidly evolving military drone market.
