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Axios: US begins testing kamikaze drones for mass production

21 February 2026 02:50 (UTC +04:00)

The US Defense Department has begun testing prototypes of kamikaze drones submitted to a competition by 25 private companies for mass production, APA reports citing Axios.

According to him, the tests are taking place at the Fort Benning Army Air Forces base in Georgia, USA. "The tests, which will last until early March, will put small, inexpensive drones and their manufacturers to the test as the US tries to learn lessons from the war in Ukraine," the article states.

As Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat's Teal Drones—one of the 25 manufacturers participating in the tests—told the portal, Pentagon officials are prioritizing the ability to organize mass production. "If you can't produce and deliver them on time, or if you're, say, two weeks late, you're out of the game," he said.

Once the tests are completed, the winner will receive a $150 million order for the delivery of prototypes.