Performance Drone Works (PDW) company

High-performance autonomous drones for critical civilian and military applications, providing robust mission capabilities with advanced reliability.

Performance Drone Works (PDW) overview

Performance Drone Works (PDW) is a U.S.-based defense technology company specializing in autonomous unmanned aerial systems engineered for demanding operational environments. The company focuses on compact, rugged platforms that provide military, government, and public safety operators with critical situational awareness, mobility, and mission flexibility.
Its primary manufacturing base is located in Huntsville, Alabama, where PDW produces NDAA-compliant drones at scale.

Our Engineering Philosophy

PDW was founded by engineers and innovators with deep expertise in high-performance drone development. Originating from competitive and high-precision UAV design environments, the founding team built the company on a guiding principle:
autonomous aerial systems must match the resilience, adaptability, and precision required by modern operators.

This philosophy drives a unified technology stack across PDW platforms — shared electronics, common software architecture, and consistent design logic across differently sized aircraft.

Core Platform: The C100 sUAS

Purpose-Built for Tactical Missions

At the center of PDW’s product ecosystem is the C100 small unmanned aerial system, a man-packable quadcopter engineered for tactical ISR, multi-mission tasks, and rapid deployment by a single operator. The C100 is built to perform in the world’s most electronically contested environments—navigating despite GPS denial, operating through electronic warfare interference, and maintaining situational awareness where traditional systems fail. Its long endurance, low audible signature, and ability to become airborne in minutes make it a force multiplier for single-operator teams. A modular payload system allows quick swapping among EO/IR sensors, mission-specific tools, medical kits, and other essential supplies, expanding the C100’s utility across reconnaissance, cargo delivery, and emergency response missions. The platform’s acceptance into the U.S. Blue sUAS framework further underscores its security, trustworthiness, and suitability for federal users.

Applications and Mission Roles

ISR & Reconnaissance

Long-endurance performance and all-weather capability make the C100 ideal for tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Cargo & Supply Transport

With a payload capacity of up to 10 lbs, PDW systems deliver critical cargo to hazardous, inaccessible, or time-sensitive locations.

Public Safety & Emergency Response

Law enforcement, SWAT teams, and first responders rely on the C100 for rapid situational awareness and decision support during emergencies.

Growth & Manufacturing Expansion

PDW has scaled rapidly, driven by both internal innovation and strategic investment.
A new 90,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Huntsville enables the production of up to 100,000 drone systems per year, supporting growing demand across U.S. and allied agencies.

Recent investments have expanded engineering capabilities, accelerated research into autonomous flight, and supported the delivery of next-generation mission-focused systems.

Trusted by Government & Defense Partners

PDW’s technology has earned the confidence of federal and defense customers, amplified by significant contracts such as the U.S. Army’s procurement of C100 systems and multi-mission payloads. These partnerships reflect PDW’s role as a dependable supplier of operationally critical aerial assets.

Our Mission Going Forward

PDW is committed to advancing autonomous tactical aviation through disciplined engineering, scalable manufacturing, and mission-driven design.
Whether supporting battlefield operations, delivering urgent supplies, or enhancing public safety response, PDW provides reliable, intelligent, and resilient aerial tools built for those who operate on the front line.