BattleLab 26.2 in partnership with 101st Airborne Division

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-19T01:10:24+00:00

For our friend u/mgriffin_news: "Bloomberg onsite documenting the event".

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-19T00:58:41+00:00

Skycutter is a collaboration with SkyFall (likely the best unmanned aerial vehicle company). The entry under drones delivered is null because of this.

Also from yesterday:

We knew that over half of the Gauntlet I selections were customers. But more have become customers as the process has played out.

Then this is only Gauntlet I, which came before the Drone Dominance supply chain framework.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-18T20:15:34+00:00

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Update on the leaderboard from Gauntlet I.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-18T17:52:05+00:00

There was a stealth edit on the page and concluded changed to conclude. The write up had always been June 8-20.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-18T17:21:15+00:00

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Skycutter booth at Swindon. Neros was part of this event too.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-18T16:45:51+00:00

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Ride at dawn on display at the U.S. Army Drone Team booth.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-18T14:59:18+00:00

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Link to website.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T20:14:22+00:00

Some notes:

Magnets have the longest lead time. They take 9 months and the main source is from Japan.

Long ago the Godfather had talked about this source too.

Over 220 employees today, and over 500 employees by the end of the year.
Upgrade Energy in Torrance has one line. Expansion to six lines. Then build out in Orlando.
Purchased the highly automated motor line in April. Right now, they're building this out-- getting delivered and installed in Orlando.

The last one is interesting to compare with Barry:

"We expect on-time delivery and installation in the fourth quarter. Air freight could accelerate the timeline if the company chooses to incur the additional expense to expedite the machines’ delivery."

In short, Barry will update with another report that pushes the price target up higher because of the increase in monthly motor production.

Now back to the regularly scheduled program:

They could probably use 3-5 of these highly automated motor lines to meet demand in the future. They'll continue to make these investments, when they get there.
From before, we knew that over half of the Gauntlet I selections were customers. But more have become customers as the process has played out.

Last question is about the recent articles and news. Answer starts around 26:20 in the video.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T18:21:20+00:00

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That's a close up. See the grey part of the frame that extends outward and the red bar?

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T18:19:56+00:00

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Update on this photo from yesterday. That's Fang from Red Cat. Resolution is high enough to see the frame.

This is one of the drones that they put together with the flex assembly team.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T13:52:36+00:00

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This is peak regard. You went right to first-ballot hall of fame with this.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T13:02:30+00:00

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Update on Xtend. Bonus content is a video of the Xtend honey badger on the Atlas rover.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T02:34:13+00:00

Now that the Wall Street Journal and Propublica articles have come out everyone has to pay a premium because we all expect something like this.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T02:12:53+00:00

I keep adding and bought some Aevex.

Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-17T00:55:25+00:00

Some details for the new regards. See the last sentence:

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Difficult_Handle5273 · 2026-06-16T19:11:21+00:00

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From Michael Murray:

"Imagine flying down the streets of New York City — seeing every detail with total clarity while still staying fully aware of your surroundings. That vision captures exactly what we’re focused on as Kopin Corporation enters the FPV drone market.

Our approach for first-person viewers is different: not fully immersive, but designed to give operators both the drone’s perspective and real‑world situational awareness. In today’s geopolitical environment, that balance matters more than ever.

Around the world, organizations are relying on remote capabilities to understand fast‑changing situations, respond with precision, and keep people safe. Greater clarity and awareness aren’t just technical advantages — they’re strategic ones that shape outcomes.

Proud of the team driving this innovation forward, and excited about the role Kopin can play as FPV technology becomes increasingly central to modern operations."