More than $33 billion has been set aside for drone and autonomy investments in President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ All of which is creating an incredible opportunity for ZenaTech (NASDAQ: ZENA), AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV), Leonardo DRS Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS), L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) and Red Cat (NASDAQ: RCAT).
That $33 billion includes direct spending to advanced drones, autonomous systems, and broader US defense modernization, representing the largest single investment in these next-generation technologies to date.
The bill also includes over $150 billion in new defense spending and restores vital tax and R&D incentives that support drone companies such as ZenaTech and its drone subsidiary ZenaDrone, that are focused on scaling next-generation aerospace technologies.
In addition, the bill highlights the fact that drones are an essential tool for the U.S. government and for defense. That’s in addition to its essential use for mapping, surveys, construction, maintenance, inspections, logistics, agriculture, oil and gas, security and deliveries.
Plus, it’s creating a substantial opportunity for the drone-as-a-service (DaaS) market.
So much so that by 2032, the DaaS market could be worth about $355.55 billion, as noted by Research and Markets. All thanks to stronger government, defense, and business demand for efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and the fact that drones are better and faster collectors of more precise real-time data for so many applications from maintenance to security.
Digging deeper into the DaaS market, we can look at companies, like ZenaTech, for example.
Unlike its peers, ZENA offers a unique DaaS AI-powered drone solution, where clients don’t need to purchase or even manage their own drone hardware and software.
In addition, ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service (DaaS) business model offers both business and government customers reduced costs and convenience to utilize drones to streamline legacy processes and manual tasks such as inspections, surveying, maintenance, precision agriculture and inventory management.
There also no need to purchase drone hardware and software, find a drone pilot, manage maintenance and operation, or acquire regulatory approvals.
The model also offers scalability to use more often or less often based on business needs and utilizes ZenaDrone’s multifunction AI autonomous drones.
All of which sets ZENA apart from its competition.
It also makes ZENA a standout beneficiary of the $33 billion set aside for drone and autonomy investments in President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’
ZenaTech Poised to Benefit from Historic US Defense Spending─$33 Billion for Drone and Autonomy Investments in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
ZenaTech, anticipates it will benefit significantly from provisions in the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act. This includes $33 billion in direct spending to advanced drones, autonomous systems, and broader US defense modernization, representing the largest single investment in these next-generation technologies to date.
In fact, according to Dr. Shaun Passley, CEO of ZenaTech:
“This legislation is a generational opportunity for US companies engaged in advanced defense manufacturing and drone innovation, and we view it as both a catalyst and confirmation of our long-term strategy. The bill unlocks substantial opportunities for us to partner with government and defense agencies, while also strengthening our financial position through R&D expensing and bonus depreciation. We are ready to be a leader in the next era of aerial intelligence and autonomy with secure American-made drone systems.”
Key Benefits for ZenaTech Under the New Legislation:
- $13.5 Billion in Drone and Autonomy Funding: The bill dedicates billions to low-cost unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and collaborative combat aircraft programs—areas where ZenaDrone’s proprietary drone technology is primed to play a role.
- $16 Billion for Military Innovation Initiatives: Includes targeted funding for the Defense Innovation Unit, small UAS scale-up, reusable hypersonics, and autonomous systems. ZenaTech intends to pursue new R&D partnerships under these programs.
- Restoration of Full R&D Expensing: Domestic research and development costs are now immediately deductible under Section 174, offering ZenaTech the ability to recover prior-year expenses and reinvest capital into emerging technologies.
- 100% Bonus Depreciation Through 2029: The company can now fully expense qualified machinery, robotics, and software, significantly improving year-one capital efficiency.
- Energy-Efficiency Deductions Through 2026: With ongoing infrastructure expansion, ZenaTech will explore Section 179D deductions on facility upgrades and sustainable building investments.
Prior to this latest news, the company announced its plan to qualify for Green UAS followed by Blue UAS certification for several of its ZenaDrone’s products. These are US government security vetting programs that certify drones as safe for federal and defense agency use.
That portfolio of defense drone offerings includes:
- The ZenaDrone 1000, a medium-sized VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing) capable of lifting ~40 kg with AI-enabled autonomy, secure communications via its proprietary DroneNet system, and rugged construction. Designed for ISR- inspection, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications, it has undergone paid trials with both the US Air Force and Navy Reserve for critical cargo delivery (e.g., blood).
- The IQ Square, a VTOL drone (starting size 40”×40”) engineered for line-of-sight land surveys, infrastructure inspections, and defense reconnaissance tasks.
- The IQ Nano, a compact indoor drone (starting size 20″×20″), built to operate in GPS-denied environments like warehouses or military infrastructure for inventory management and security applications, it features obstacle avoidance, and AI-driven swarming or drone fleets.
- ZenaTech’s Drone as a Service (DaaS) offering will be tailored specifically for US defense and government agency use. The DaaS model accelerates government adoption by simplifying procurement and deployment, giving defense customers flexible, scalable, AI-powered drone solutions aligned with evolving mission needs.
ZenaTech has also closed five acquisitions across the US to date as part of its DaaS business model and strategy. It plans to complete 20 more acquisitions in the next 12 months.
Other related developments from around the markets include:
AeroVironment delivered company-owned, company-operated (COCO) maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services in support of the U.S. Navy’s 4th Fleet as part of Operation Southern Spear. AV’s JUMP® 20 medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS) was deployed across the Caribbean and southern Atlantic region, providing persistent ISR where it actively tracked potential illicit activities within the 4th Fleet’s jurisdiction. JUMP 20 is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) MUAS designed for rapid deployment, with fully hands-free autonomous launch and recovery capabilities on moving vessels—even in challenging maritime conditions, including sea state level 5 and winds exceeding 20 knots.
Leonardo DRS Inc. announced that it has been awarded a $41 million contract from the Naval Sea Systems Command to continue delivering critical combat management system hardware for U.S. Navy surface combatants, allied naval forces, and the U.S. Coast Guard. Under the contract, Leonardo DRS will provide a range of advanced hardware—including multi-screen consoles, displays, and peripheral equipment—designed to support the AEGIS Combat System and Ship Self-Defense System (SSDS) deployed on a variety of large and small deck ships. The hardware serves as the primary operator interface for sailors to gather, process, and display vital battlespace information and make rapid tactical decisions. The system’s open architecture design ensures interoperability and scalability across current and future platforms.
L3Harris Technologies and NASA successfully test-fired the first RS-25 rocket engine slated to help power the fifth launch of the Space Launch System or SLS rocket for the Artemis Moon exploration campaign. This is the first hot-fire test of a flight version of the new RS-25 engine. The first four Artemis missions use upgraded RS-25 engines from the space shuttle program. “This successful acceptance test shows that we’ve been able to replicate the RS-25’s performance and reliability, while incorporating modern manufacturing techniques and upgraded components such as the main combustion chamber, nozzle and pogo accumulator assembly,” said Kristin Houston, President, Space Propulsion and Power Systems, Aerojet Rocketdyne, L3Harris. “Our propulsion technology is key to ensuring the United States leads in lunar exploration, creates a sustained presence on the Moon and does not cede this strategic frontier to other nations.”
Red Cat Holdings, a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, today announced it has secured new orders for its Edge 130 drone from the Army National Guard and another U.S. Government Agency (OGA), totaling $518,000. FlightWave, a leading provider of VTOL drone, sensor and software solutions was acquired by Red Cat in September 2024. The acquisition brought FlightWave’s flagship drone, the Edge 130 Blue into its family of low-cost, portable unmanned reconnaissance and precision lethal strike systems. FlightWave’s size, weight and vertical take off capabilities makes it ideal for maritime operations and littoral environments.
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