Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT) (“Red Cat” or the “Company”), a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security, today introduced Hellcat
, a dual-use small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) built on the proven Black Widow platform and designed for rapidly evolving operational environments.
Red Cat is unveiling Hellcat in conjunction with Eurosatory 2026, where defense leaders, government buyers, and industry partners from across Europe and allied nations are convening to evaluate current and future capabilities with a focus on small UAS, contested-environment operations, and interoperable systems. Built on the proven Black Widow platform, Hellcat incorporates extensive feedback gathered directly from warfighters in the field and lessons learned through an ongoing partnership with Ukraine.
Hellcat is designed to support customer-driven configurations, faster integration cycles, and software-defined updates that keep pace with changing mission needs. The platform brings Red Cat’s small UAS architecture to a broader global mission set, supporting coalition partners and customers with varying command-and-control preferences, payload needs, and integration paths.
“Black Widow was purpose-built to meet the rigorous requirements of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance program, and it remains a cornerstone of our small UAS leadership,” said Jeff Thompson, Chief Executive Officer of Red Cat. “For the development of this new platform, it’s been an ongoing honor to work side by side with Ukrainian drone experts in theater, continuously transforming our ISR drones to meet the ever-evolving demands of the battlefield.”
Hellcat is designed around Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA) principles, enabling customers to configure command-and-control, payload, software, and integration pathways based on operational needs. The platform is intended to support a broad range of customer requirements, including different government procurement frameworks, coalition interoperability needs, and mission-specific software environments.
“Small UAS programs need to keep pace with how operators are using them in the field,” added Thompson. “Hellcat reflects Red Cat’s approach to working directly with warfighters, incorporating feedback from operational environments, and folding those lessons back into the platform so users can adapt as the mission changes.”
Hellcat’s baseline configuration includes GPS-denied operation from power-on, RTH Azimuth recovery without GPS, WEB Standoff Radio support, a low-visibility tactical finish, and a field-repairable, rucksack-portable design. The aircraft offers 50+ minutes of flight time, up to 6.8 miles / 11 km of range with maintained operator line-of-sight, and is available with Red Cat’s Ocellus 3CP three-camera payload option.
Hellcat complements Red Cat’s broader Family of Systems, which includes Black Widow, FlightWave Edge 130, FANG, Blue Ops Variant 7 Uncrewed Surface Vessel (USV), and command-and-control and autonomy capabilities across air, land, and sea. Together, these systems support Red Cat’s strategy to deliver trusted U.S. and allied robotic solutions that enhance situational awareness, operational effectiveness, and mission safety for defense and national security customers.
For more information on Hellcat, visit https://redcat.red/hellcat/.
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Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT), a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, today announced it has received authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in U.S. airspace without broadcasting Remote Identification (Remote ID) information, specifically for the purpose of aeronautical research.
“This authorization highlights Red Cat’s commitment as an industry leader to work closely with the FAA on drone requirements and operations in the national airspace system,” said Jeff Thompson, Red Cat CEO. “We are proud to be among the first companies in the United States authorized to conduct research operations without broadcasting Remote ID. This will help accelerate the testing and development of safe and effective drone solutions that support warfighters globally.”
This authorization reinforces Red Cat’s ongoing collaboration with the FAA to shape the future of drone operations in the National Airspace System (NAS). Issued under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 89.120, the approval allows Red Cat to advance aeronautical research while adhering to strict operational and safety requirements.
Key Highlights of the FAA Authorization
- Purpose-Built for Research: The authorization allows Red Cat to conduct aeronautical research in controlled conditions, exempt from Remote ID broadcasting requirements.
- Strict Safety and Compliance: Red Cat must file Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) 24 to 72 hours before operations and adhere to all applicable airspace rules and protocols.
- Long-Term Authorization: Effective immediately, the approval remains valid through January 31, 2028, barring earlier rescission or extension.
Remote ID regulations, often referred to as a “digital license plate” for drones, play a vital role in enhancing safety and security in the NAS. Red Cat’s authorization to operate drones without broadcasting Remote ID will provide valuable data and insights that may inform future FAA policies and the development of drone technologies.
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