The Red Cat Black Widow Drone has reached a major milestone with approval in NATO’s Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) catalogue, underscoring its role as a trusted ISR system for allied defense operations. Red Cat Holdings, Inc. has built itself into a leader in the American drone industry through years of evolution and growth. The company traces its origins back to 1984, when it was first incorporated under the name Oravest International, Inc. in Colorado. After undergoing name changes and corporate restructuring, it is now headquartered in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Under the leadership of its founder and current Chairman and CEO, Jeffrey M. Thompson, Red Cat has established a focus on developing and supplying advanced unmanned aerial systems and related technology for defense, government, and public safety applications.

Teal Drones and Early Achievements

Teal Drones, a subsidiary of Red Cat, was founded in 2014 by George Matus when he was just 17 years old in Salt Lake City, Utah. Teal’s purpose from its earliest days has been to build unmanned systems that are more than just flying cameras by combining secure hardware, advanced payloads, and modular design. Red Cat acquired Teal several years later, bringing it into its larger umbrella of American-made hardware and software that support military, government, and public safety operations.

One of the earliest recognitions for Teal after joining Red Cat came when its Golden Eagle drone earned Blue UAS Certification from the U.S. Department of Defense. The Blue UAS program identifies unmanned aircraft systems that meet strict standards for security, manufacturing, and supply chain integrity. Only a select group of companies has earned the certification, which allows their drones to be deployed in sensitive defense missions with full assurance of trusted sourcing and cybersecurity.

© TealDrones.com – Black Widow Drone

The Golden Eagle Drone

The Golden Eagle was designed as a compact, rugged drone optimized for military and public safety missions. Built in the United States, it weighs under 3 lbs and can be deployed quickly by a single operator. The system features encrypted data links, a high-resolution electro-optical sensor, and a FLIR thermal camera for day and night operations. It is built to provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), giving operators critical situational awareness in the field. According to Teal, the Golden Eagle is “a cost-effective, rapidly deployable small UAS that delivers secure and reliable ISR at the tactical edge.”

Black Widow Joins NATO’s NSPA Catalogue

Now, Red Cat and Teal have reached a new milestone with the Red Cat Black Widow Drone system being approved for the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) catalogue. The NSPA serves as NATO’s central organization for acquisition, support, and procurement across all domains. It provides a pathway for allied countries to purchase and maintain equipment in a standardized and efficient way. The Black Widow system itself reflects Red Cat’s focus on designing trusted, mission-adaptable drones for defense operations.

As one of only two vendors chosen by the U.S. Army for its Short Range Reconnaissance program, the Red Cat Black Widow Drone is made entirely in the United States, ensuring full compliance with defense sourcing standards and the National Defense Authorization Act. The small ISR drone, also suited for perimeter security and overwatch roles, weighs under 3 lbs, can be carried in a backpack, and deployed by a single operator within minutes. It delivers more than 45 minutes of flight endurance with encrypted, high-bandwidth communications. The system is modular with swappable payloads and the ability to integrate third-party AI applications for mapping, target acquisition, or computer vision. Its rugged design allows it to perform in harsh weather, and it can be repaired in the field to minimize downtime during operations.

According to Geoffrey Hitchcock, Red Cat’s Chief Revenue Officer, being added to the NSPA catalogue is crucial for the future of drone warfare for NATO member states. “Black Widow gives allied forces a rugged, rapidly deployable ISR capability with minimal training burden,” he said.

“Being available through NSPA simplifies cross-border acquisition and sustainment, helping customers move from requirement to fielding faster. Just as importantly, it ensures NATO forces can operate with a trusted, American-made system that is fully interoperable with allied mission requirements.” – Geoffrey Hitchcock, Red Cat’s Chief Revenue Officer

Recognition for Trusted UAS

While there are thousands of drone companies worldwide, few have matched the achievements of Red Cat. The Red Cat Black Widow Drone and its inclusion in programs like the Blue UAS list and the NSPA catalogue is proof that Red Cat’s drone systems are held to the highest standards.

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