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Black Widow

Red Cat's small reconnaissance drone; first US-listed sUAS to win a NATO procurement order via NSPA.

On 12 June, Japan ordered Black Widow reconnaissance drones, extending the platform's allied procurement reach after its March NATO catalogue approval.

Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for Black Widow

#18 31 Aug

Mentioned in: Japan requests 17 MQ-9B drones for 2027

Drones: Industry & Defence

#15 7 Jul

Mentioned in: AeroVironment opens two more NATO markets

Drones: Industry & Defence

#12 12 Jun

Ordered by Japan Ministry of Defense for delivery to Ground Self-Defense Force via HAMA K.K.

Drones: Industry & Defence: Red Cat raises $225m and wins Japan

#11 7 May

Red Cat drone product at the centre of NSPA orders

Drones: Industry & Defence: Mentioned in: Red Cat signs Ukraine's state arms exporter

#8 7 May

Ordered by NATO ally via NSPA and separately by Asia-Pacific ally

Drones: Industry & Defence: Red Cat lands NATO order via NSPA, Kyiv tie-up

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Background

Black Widow is Red Cat Holdings' small unmanned reconnaissance system. It serves the US Army's Short Range Reconnaissance programme and is designed for short-range military observation.

The platform is a Blue UAS, meaning it is US-origin and supply-chain verified for sensitive US defence procurement. Its NATO catalogue approval gives allied buyers a recognised procurement route alongside US military demand.

Black Widow is central to Red Cat's defence-drone offer because it links a US programme of record with allied sales channels. That position makes its procurement eligibility as important as the aircraft's reconnaissance role.

Key Issues

Allied procurement

Black Widow expands allied procurement

In March 2026, Black Widow gained NATO procurement catalogue approval after winning the US Army's Short Range Reconnaissance programme, giving allied governments a route to buy it through NATO channels.

On 12 June, Japan's defence ministry placed its first Black Widow order. The purchase put the reconnaissance drone into a market building its drone inventory under Japan's 2022 counter-strike doctrine. For Black Widow, the order matters as evidence that its US procurement status can support sales beyond its original domestic programme.

Common Questions

How fast is Red Cat growing from Black Widow sales?

Red Cat reported Q1 2026 revenue of $15.5 million, up 849% year-on-year from $1.6 million, driven primarily by Black Widow military deliveries. Management projects an annual revenue run rate of $150-180 million.Source: Red Cat Holdings Q1 2026 earnings release

Why did NATO order Black Widow drones through NSPA?

NSPA routing draws on alliance-pooled NATO funding rather than a single member state's bilateral defence budget, allowing cost-sharing across allies. A NATO ally used this channel for Black Widow in May 2026, the first US-listed sUAS to clear the NSPA procurement mechanism.Source: Red Cat Holdings Q1 2026 earnings release

What is the difference between NSPA and Foreign Military Sales for drone procurement?

Foreign Military Sales (FMS) is a bilateral mechanism where one government buys from another. An NSPA-routed order draws on alliance-pooled NATO budgets and is administered by NATO's institutional procurement Arm, widening the pool of officials WHO can authorise follow-on contracts.Source: Red Cat Holdings Q1 2026 earnings release

Which NATO country ordered the Red Cat Black Widow?

Red Cat has not disclosed which NATO ally placed the Black Widow order routed via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency in May 2026. A second, separate order also came from an Asia-Pacific ally.Source: Red Cat Holdings Q1 2026 earnings release

What is the Red Cat Black Widow drone?

The Black Widow is Red Cat Holdings' short-range reconnaissance sUAS, used by US Special Operations Forces under the Army's SRR programme and classified as a Blue UAS (US-origin, supply-chain verified). In May 2026 it became the first US-listed sUAS to receive a NATO procurement order routed via NSPA.Source: Red Cat Holdings Q1 2026 earnings release

Is the Black Widow drone approved for sale to US allies?

Yes. The Black Widow holds Blue UAS designation, confirming it has a verified US-origin supply chain. This makes it eligible for allied military procurement where Chinese-origin components are banned, and it has already cleared NATO's NSPA procurement channel.

Is the Black Widow drone approved under the Pentagon's Blue UAS programme?

Yes. The Black Widow is approved under the Pentagon's Blue UAS framework, which certifies US-origin, supply-chain-verified drones as eligible for sensitive military procurement where Chinese-origin systems are excluded.Source: Red Cat Holdings

Source Material

Red Cat Holdings Red Cat Q1 2026 earnings — 849% revenue growth, NATO NSPA order