The Vector Nammo partnership is expanding to accelerate the integration of munitions onto small drones for U.S. military use, the companies announced Monday at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting.
The collaboration began earlier this year, pairing Nammo’s munitions with Vector’s unmanned aircraft. Under the broadened agreement, the companies plan to scale production to meet what they describe as rising demand for drones capable of more than simply delivering explosive payloads.
Vector chief executive and co-founder Andy Yakulis described the partnership as highly complementary, saying the combined system reflects how warfighters intend to employ the platforms. He added that the systems will be produced at scale and continuously refined based on operational needs.
According to Vector’s website, the Utah-based firm launched in 2024 with three veterans, including Yakulis, along with the founder of Teal Drones. Teal was later acquired by Red Cat and secured millions of dollars in U.S. military contracts for short-range reconnaissance drones.
Vector also provides a High Voltage Electronic Safe Arm Device, or HV-ESAD, which serves as the electronic interface between a drone and its munition. Both companies say the device enables safe integration and controlled employment of compatible munitions.
Vector lists a drone on the Defense Department’s Blue List, the roster of unmanned aircraft systems that have completed the department’s relevant assessment and approval for military use.
The company also placed in the top five in the latest round of the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance program, a billion-dollar effort to procure affordable small drones that can be manufactured at scale.
Andy Schreiner, president and general manager of Nammo, said the expanded agreement will benefit warfighters globally by combining Nammo’s munitions, energetics, and advanced manufacturing expertise with Vector’s unmanned systems capabilities. He said the companies are uniting complementary strengths to speed development and production of integrated solutions that can evolve with requirements.
Nammo, a Norwegian defense manufacturer with U.S. operations headquartered in Arizona, specializes in ammunition, shoulder-fired weapons, and rocket motors. Its catalog ranges from small-arms ammunition to tank rounds, according to the company.
Vector Nammo partnership to scale production
Company officials said the enlarged scope is focused on delivering systems at scale while incorporating user feedback to meet real-world operational demands.