UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
A selection of small UAS lined up ahead of a drone demonstration for the DDP. (Photo: US Marine Corps)
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
UK drone company Skycutter has been selected by the US Pentagon in Gauntlet I of its Drone Dominance Program (DDP), topping the list of the final 11 companies.
Skycutter submitted a bid in partnership with Ukrainian tech company SkyFall – with which it has been working since 2022 – with a modified Shrike 10 Fiber first-person view (FPV) drone. SkyFall’s portfolio of drones is expansive, with its P1-Sun FPV interceptor drone and Vampire hexacopter drone having been widely used in Ukraine against Russian targets.
The company ranked first out of the 11 winning companies with a score of 99.3 out of 100
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Shield the warfighter, win the fight (video)]()
Shield the warfighter, win the fight (video)
BAE Systems’ Intrepid Shield™ approach delivers full-spectrum electromagnetic protection to detect, exploit, and counter advanced threats.
-
![US Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion F-15 contract to sustain Eagle fleet through 2037]()
US Air Force awards Boeing $131 billion F-15 contract to sustain Eagle fleet through 2037
The agreement supports F-15 production, modernisation and sustainment for the US and seven international operators.
-
![Saab re-emphasises Gripen hopes in the light of US-Canada trade tariff argument]()
Saab re-emphasises Gripen hopes in the light of US-Canada trade tariff argument
Saab Aerospace has seen as surge in orders for its Gripen fighter aircraft and GlobalEye airborne early warning and control systems, including an agreement to provide the latter to Canada, even as it positions Gripen for the same country.
-
![US Army seeks missile costing less than $150,000 to counter Group 2 and 3 drones]()
US Army seeks missile costing less than $150,000 to counter Group 2 and 3 drones
The service wants a rapid-response, extended-range interceptor compatible with the Coyote launcher and wider US Army air-defence architecture, with initial testing scheduled for late 2026.
