ALAMEDA, Calif., Oct. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pyka, a robotics company building mission-ready autonomous aircraft for agriculture, logistics, defense, and humanitarian operations, has established a relationship with ADS for future opportunities to equip the U.S. Department of Defense, Federal Agencies, and First Responders with its large-scale autonomous cargo aircraft, DropShip.

DropShip is a long-range, heavy-lift UAS platform designed to enable multi-mission operations in the world's toughest environments. With hybrid propulsion, DropShip can fly over 3,500 miles, remain in the air for over 40 hours, and carry payloads of up to 550 pounds. In a typical mission, it can carry 400 pounds over 1,000 miles, fully autonomously. Its modular payload bay and auxiliary open architecture flight computer support a wide range of mission configurations, including ISR sensors, communications relays, and precision airdrop systems.

"We're proud to work with ADS to bring DropShip's capabilities to the U.S. government," said Jake Hart, Government Business Development Director at Pyka and former Navy F/A-18 pilot. "DoD missions increasingly require flexible UAS platforms that can operate without established infrastructure. DropShip is a dual-use autonomous aircraft that delivers unmatched operational versatility in a rapidly deployable package, at a fraction of the cost of legacy UAS systems."

"With the ever-changing and rapidly-evolving UAS requirements within our customer base, ADS is honored to work with Pyka introducing their long-range, heavy-lift, short takeoff and landing UAS platform to our shared U.S. Government portfolios," said Michael Paulk, Director of Aerospace Market Sales for ADS.

ADS and Pyka share a commitment to advancing operational readiness through fielding mission-focused, innovative solutions. With ADS's deep expertise in equipping government agencies and Pyka's proven track record of pioneering autonomous aircraft technology, the collaboration will accelerate the delivery of DropShip's capabilities to end users and help position the United States at the forefront of next-generation UAS technology.

About Pyka

Pyka is a robotics company on a mission to build the most useful autonomous aircraft on Earth. At the core of every Pyka aircraft is a vertically integrated aircraft-first robotics stack: proprietary flight control software, avionics, high-power density electric motors, motor controllers, batteries, and carbon fiber composite airframes, developed entirely in-house and manufactured in the United States of America. Learn more at www.flypyka.com.

About ADS

Operating worldwide for over 28 years, ADS is the leading provider of operational equipment to the U.S. Department of Defense, Federal Agencies, and First Responders. Their purpose is to deliver the best equipment and technology to the men and women who are protecting our freedom.

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SOURCE Pyka