AIRO Group has completed production of the first RQ-35 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drones at its manufacturing facility in Phoenix, Arizona.
Manufactured to the same specifications as those built in Denmark, the US-produced RQ-35 aircraft successfully concluded Phase 1 of AIRO’s manufacturing and validation program. This phase included full system assembly and an extensive flight-test campaign, which was completed on December 11.
Designed for operations in GPS-denied and electronically contested environments, the RQ-35 provides persistent ISR coverage while minimizing operator workload. Executives from AIRO and its Danish partner Sky-Watch highlighted the close cooperation that ensured compliance with engineering, production, and testing standards. They also noted progress in advancing the RQ-35 through the US Department of Defense’s Blue unmanned aerial system certification process, aimed at simplifying future procurement.
Beyond the US production milestone, the RQ-35 ISR—marketed internationally as the RQ-35 Heidrun—has seen growing adoption among NATO and allied forces. Denmark and Germany have been prominent operators, with Germany delivering multiple batches of the system to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including an initial transfer of 20 units in mid-2023, followed by additional deliveries to strengthen Ukraine’s reconnaissance capabilities.
Coalition support expanded further in 2024 when the Netherlands, working alongside Denmark and Germany, announced an order valued at approximately €200 million ($234 million) for RQ-35 Heidrun drones destined for Ukraine under a multinational initiative.
