The US Army has named Neros Technologies as one of three primary suppliers for its Purpose-Built Attritable Systems (PBAS) program, which equips platoon-level units with flexible, mission-ready unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Under the program, the California-based startup will deliver its Archer drone in 5-inch (13 cm) and 10-inch (25 cm) versions, expanding on the earlier 8-inch (20 cm) model.
The Archer platform can carry anti-armor and anti-personnel payloads and strike targets over 20 kilometers (12 miles) away. Non-strike configurations can be fitted with customized sensor payloads for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
Alongside the drones, Neros will provide its Flatbow system, a portable enhancement to its Crossbow Ground Control System, optimized for operations in contested electromagnetic environments to maintain secure, stable control of UAS assets.
The PBAS contract follows two years of R&D and field testing with Ukrainian and US military partners, according to the company. Founded in 2023, Neros credited its progress to “an immense amount of engineering effort and team dedication” in developing custom-built components and ensuring a resilient domestic supply chain.
Coinciding with the PBAS announcement, Neros raised $75 million in a funding round led by Sequoia Capital, bringing its total investment to over $120 million. The new funding will accelerate Archer and Flatbow production, strengthen a China-free supply chain, and advance research into next-generation autonomous UAS architectures.
