The American machine company receives a $9 million contract to demonstrate robotic factories for chassis of Lucas-type UAVs.
The 18-month contract covers two test units to be set up inside the US in its first phase, with deployment in areas ahead, including a country like Kuwait, a likely target for later phases. The goal is to shorten the supply chain and reduce dependence on drone delivery from remote factories. The mobile units, called Robo-Oman, use robotic arms to build metal structures, which the company's CEO says takes two to five days each depending on the size. A full-size airframe prototype costs about $15,000 to $40,000, a figure that covers just the frame, not a complete UAV.