Pentagon Program Selects 17 Companies To Compete In Drone Bomber Qualifier

The U.S. Department of Defense invited 17 companies to compete for $32 million in prototype orders for reusable bomber drones. The selected firms are due to participate in a drone-bomber qualifier at Camp Grayling, Michigan, in October 2026. The field includes American companies as well as teams from Ukraine and the United Kingdom. The programme is focused on evaluating reusable unmanned aircraft able to deliver weapons, with no long-range or Collaborative Combat Aircraft requirement stated.