White House Defense Budget Proposal to Boost Drone Industry
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy AVAV?
Source: CNBC
- Budget Increase: President Trump proposed a $1.5 trillion defense budget for fiscal 2027, representing a 44% increase over fiscal 2026, which, if passed, would elevate U.S. military spending to its highest GDP proportion in decades.
- Drone Investment: Analysts estimate that $63 billion will be allocated to drone technology, more than six times the enacted level for 2026, indicating that increased federal investment will serve as a positive catalyst for the unmanned ecosystem.
- AeroVironment Benefits: AeroVironment, specializing in drone technology, has secured major contracts with the U.S. government and is expected to benefit from the new budget, with a price target of $400 suggesting a 114% upside potential.
- Other Companies Outlook: Ondas, Karman Holdings, and Amprius Technologies are also expected to gain from the new budget, with price targets set at $23, $125, and $20 respectively, indicating significant growth potential for these defense-related firms.
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Analyst Views on AVAV
Wall Street analysts forecast AVAV stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
13 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 177.700
Low
315.00
Averages
390.75
High
450.00
Current: 177.700
Low
315.00
Averages
390.75
High
450.00
About AVAV
AeroVironment, Inc. is a defense technology provider delivering integrated capabilities across air, land, sea, space, and cyber. The Company develops and deploys autonomous systems, precision strike systems, counter-UAS technologies, space-based platforms, directed energy systems, and cyber and electronic warfare capabilities. The Company’s segments include Autonomous Systems (AxS) and Space, Cyber, and Directed Energy (SCDE). The AxS segment focuses on the design, development, production, delivery, and support of intelligent, multi-domain robotic systems, including uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and ground robot systems. It includes the Company’s former Uncrewed Systems, Loitering Munitions Systems, and MacCready Works segments as well as Radio Frequency and Kinetic Counter-UAS Electronic Warfare Systems and others. The SCDE segment focuses on advanced technologies in the space domain providing space-based and ground-based platforms, cyber capabilities, and directed energy systems.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
AeroVironment Faces Multiple Challenges Ahead
- Poor Financial Performance: AeroVironment has missed earnings expectations in three of the last four quarters, with the latest fiscal quarter reporting earnings of 64 cents per share, falling short of the Zacks consensus estimate by 6%, leading to downward revisions in forward guidance and further weakening earnings momentum.
- Low Industry Ranking: The company holds a Zacks Rank of #5 in the Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry, placing it in the bottom 39% of approximately 250 ranked industries, indicating significant competitive pressures and an overall overvaluation in the sector, which hinders potential stock price rebounds.
- Estimate Downgrade Risks: Analysts have cut fourth-quarter earnings estimates by 23.5% over the past 60 days, with the current Zacks consensus estimate at $1.53 per share, reflecting a 5% decline year-over-year, signaling a lack of confidence in future growth and potentially leading to further stock price declines.
- Deteriorating Technicals: AVAV stock has experienced a “death cross,” where the 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day moving average, indicating a lack of buying pressure and suggesting that the stock should be avoided in the current environment, with shares down over 25% this year alone.
See More
AeroVironment Appoints New COO Robert Smith
- Executive Appointment: AeroVironment has named Robert Smith as Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer, effective April 13, 2026, overseeing Autonomous Systems, Space, Cyber & Directed Energy units, and global operations and manufacturing, aiming to enhance the company's competitiveness in the defense sector.
- Predecessor Background: Smith joins from Raytheon (RTX), where he led a multi-billion-dollar radar and electronic warfare business, and his extensive industry experience is expected to drive strategic growth and technological innovation at AeroVironment.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the announcement, AeroVironment's shares fell by 4.5%, reflecting market concerns regarding the new leadership and potentially impacting investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Market Environment: Despite challenges in the defense sector, AeroVironment recently secured a $25 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for technology development, indicating its potential and opportunities in a high-demand market.
See More
Rapid Growth in Drone-as-a-Service Industry
- Market Expansion: The global Drone-as-a-Service market is currently valued at approximately $12-13 billion and is expected to grow to $34 billion by 2032, indicating a steady growth trend that encourages active companies to enhance operations and capture market share.
- Wide Technology Applications: Drones are increasingly utilized across various industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, and logistics, aiding in crop monitoring, infrastructure inspections, and delivery services, which further drives rapid market demand growth.
- Strengthened Acquisition Strategy: ZenaTech has completed its 21st acquisition by acquiring Andy Paris & Associates, enhancing its market presence in the Pacific Northwest and boosting capabilities in drone-enabled inspections and surveys, facilitating the company's expansion in the region.
- Innovative Service Model: ZenaTech's Drone-as-a-Service platform offers subscription-based rapid drone services to business and government clients, reducing ownership costs while enhancing service efficiency and data analytics capabilities through AI integration.
See More
Rapid Growth in Drone-as-a-Service Industry
- Market Expansion: The global Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) market is currently valued at approximately $12-13 billion and is projected to grow to $34 billion by 2032, indicating a steady growth trend that encourages active companies to enhance operations and capture market share.
- Wide Technology Applications: Drones are proving essential across various industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, and logistics, aiding in crop monitoring, infrastructure inspections, and supporting delivery services, which significantly drives rapid market demand.
- ZenaTech Acquisition: ZenaTech has completed its 21st acquisition by purchasing Andy Paris & Associates, a land surveying firm in Oregon, which strengthens its market presence in the Pacific Northwest and enhances its capabilities in drone-enabled inspections and surveys, facilitating business expansion.
- Service Platform Innovation: ZenaTech's DaaS platform establishes a scalable AI drone automation system that offers subscription-based rapid services, reducing capital costs and operational burdens for clients, thereby driving the digital transformation of the industry.
See More
AeroVironment Appoints New COO to Enhance Operations
- Executive Appointment: AeroVironment has appointed Dr. Robert Smith as Chief Operating Officer, effective April 13, 2026, overseeing the Autonomous Systems and Space, Cyber, and Directed Energy business units, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency to meet rising customer demand.
- Manufacturing Capability Expansion: Dr. Smith's appointment reflects AV's strategic focus on strengthening manufacturing capabilities in a dynamic global defense environment, expected to optimize supply chains and enhance operational execution to meet increasing market demands, thereby boosting the company's competitive edge.
- Rich Industry Experience: Prior to joining AV, Dr. Smith served as Vice President at Raytheon, managing a multi-billion-dollar radar and electronic warfare business, bringing extensive global operations management experience that will provide valuable industry insights and leadership to AV.
- Strategic Goal Alignment: Dr. Smith expressed eagerness to collaborate with the AV team to advance the company's strategic priorities, enhance customer service, and drive shareholder value, indicating the company's ongoing innovation and leadership in the defense technology sector.
See More
U.S. Defense Budget Hits Record High, Surge in Autonomous Systems Procurement
- Record Defense Budget: The FY2026 U.S. defense budget has reached $1 trillion, with a FY2027 request of $1.5 trillion representing a 44% increase over FY2026, indicating a strong commitment to defense spending that is expected to drive market demand for related defense companies.
- Surge in Autonomous Systems Procurement: The U.S. Department of Defense plans to purchase over 200,000 autonomous systems by 2027, responding to urgent needs for sensor-rich, AI-driven platforms, particularly in countering emerging aerial threats and enhancing persistent surveillance capabilities.
- Major Contract Awards: Elbit Systems has secured a contract worth approximately $750 million to supply precision rocket systems to the Hellenic Armed Forces, reflecting an increase in international defense cooperation and sustained demand for high-tech weapon systems.
- Technological Innovation and Market Opportunities: VisionWave Holdings has received its first defense order from Latin America, showcasing the market potential of its AI-driven technology platform, while also signing a memorandum of understanding with a U.S. Tier-1 defense contractor, further solidifying its position in the global defense market.
See More
AeroVironment Faces Multiple Challenges Ahead
- Poor Financial Performance: AeroVironment has missed earnings expectations in three of the last four quarters, with the latest fiscal quarter reporting earnings of 64 cents per share, falling short of the Zacks consensus estimate by 6%, leading to downward revisions in forward guidance and further weakening earnings momentum.
- Low Industry Ranking: The company holds a Zacks Rank of #5 in the Aerospace-Defense Equipment industry, placing it in the bottom 39% of approximately 250 ranked industries, indicating significant competitive pressures and an overall overvaluation in the sector, which hinders potential stock price rebounds.
- Estimate Downgrade Risks: Analysts have cut fourth-quarter earnings estimates by 23.5% over the past 60 days, with the current Zacks consensus estimate at $1.53 per share, reflecting a 5% decline year-over-year, signaling a lack of confidence in future growth and potentially leading to further stock price declines.
- Deteriorating Technicals: AVAV stock has experienced a “death cross,” where the 50-day moving average falls below the 200-day moving average, indicating a lack of buying pressure and suggesting that the stock should be avoided in the current environment, with shares down over 25% this year alone.
See More
AeroVironment Appoints New COO Robert Smith
- Executive Appointment: AeroVironment has named Robert Smith as Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer, effective April 13, 2026, overseeing Autonomous Systems, Space, Cyber & Directed Energy units, and global operations and manufacturing, aiming to enhance the company's competitiveness in the defense sector.
- Predecessor Background: Smith joins from Raytheon (RTX), where he led a multi-billion-dollar radar and electronic warfare business, and his extensive industry experience is expected to drive strategic growth and technological innovation at AeroVironment.
- Stock Price Reaction: Following the announcement, AeroVironment's shares fell by 4.5%, reflecting market concerns regarding the new leadership and potentially impacting investor confidence in the company's future prospects.
- Market Environment: Despite challenges in the defense sector, AeroVironment recently secured a $25 million contract from the U.S. Air Force for technology development, indicating its potential and opportunities in a high-demand market.
See More
Rapid Growth in Drone-as-a-Service Industry
- Market Expansion: The global Drone-as-a-Service market is currently valued at approximately $12-13 billion and is expected to grow to $34 billion by 2032, indicating a steady growth trend that encourages active companies to enhance operations and capture market share.
- Wide Technology Applications: Drones are increasingly utilized across various industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, and logistics, aiding in crop monitoring, infrastructure inspections, and delivery services, which further drives rapid market demand growth.
- Strengthened Acquisition Strategy: ZenaTech has completed its 21st acquisition by acquiring Andy Paris & Associates, enhancing its market presence in the Pacific Northwest and boosting capabilities in drone-enabled inspections and surveys, facilitating the company's expansion in the region.
- Innovative Service Model: ZenaTech's Drone-as-a-Service platform offers subscription-based rapid drone services to business and government clients, reducing ownership costs while enhancing service efficiency and data analytics capabilities through AI integration.
See More
Rapid Growth in Drone-as-a-Service Industry
- Market Expansion: The global Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) market is currently valued at approximately $12-13 billion and is projected to grow to $34 billion by 2032, indicating a steady growth trend that encourages active companies to enhance operations and capture market share.
- Wide Technology Applications: Drones are proving essential across various industries such as agriculture, construction, energy, and logistics, aiding in crop monitoring, infrastructure inspections, and supporting delivery services, which significantly drives rapid market demand.
- ZenaTech Acquisition: ZenaTech has completed its 21st acquisition by purchasing Andy Paris & Associates, a land surveying firm in Oregon, which strengthens its market presence in the Pacific Northwest and enhances its capabilities in drone-enabled inspections and surveys, facilitating business expansion.
- Service Platform Innovation: ZenaTech's DaaS platform establishes a scalable AI drone automation system that offers subscription-based rapid services, reducing capital costs and operational burdens for clients, thereby driving the digital transformation of the industry.
See More
AeroVironment Appoints New COO to Enhance Operations
- Executive Appointment: AeroVironment has appointed Dr. Robert Smith as Chief Operating Officer, effective April 13, 2026, overseeing the Autonomous Systems and Space, Cyber, and Directed Energy business units, aimed at enhancing operational efficiency to meet rising customer demand.
- Manufacturing Capability Expansion: Dr. Smith's appointment reflects AV's strategic focus on strengthening manufacturing capabilities in a dynamic global defense environment, expected to optimize supply chains and enhance operational execution to meet increasing market demands, thereby boosting the company's competitive edge.
- Rich Industry Experience: Prior to joining AV, Dr. Smith served as Vice President at Raytheon, managing a multi-billion-dollar radar and electronic warfare business, bringing extensive global operations management experience that will provide valuable industry insights and leadership to AV.
- Strategic Goal Alignment: Dr. Smith expressed eagerness to collaborate with the AV team to advance the company's strategic priorities, enhance customer service, and drive shareholder value, indicating the company's ongoing innovation and leadership in the defense technology sector.
See More
U.S. Defense Budget Hits Record High, Surge in Autonomous Systems Procurement
- Record Defense Budget: The FY2026 U.S. defense budget has reached $1 trillion, with a FY2027 request of $1.5 trillion representing a 44% increase over FY2026, indicating a strong commitment to defense spending that is expected to drive market demand for related defense companies.
- Surge in Autonomous Systems Procurement: The U.S. Department of Defense plans to purchase over 200,000 autonomous systems by 2027, responding to urgent needs for sensor-rich, AI-driven platforms, particularly in countering emerging aerial threats and enhancing persistent surveillance capabilities.
- Major Contract Awards: Elbit Systems has secured a contract worth approximately $750 million to supply precision rocket systems to the Hellenic Armed Forces, reflecting an increase in international defense cooperation and sustained demand for high-tech weapon systems.
- Technological Innovation and Market Opportunities: VisionWave Holdings has received its first defense order from Latin America, showcasing the market potential of its AI-driven technology platform, while also signing a memorandum of understanding with a U.S. Tier-1 defense contractor, further solidifying its position in the global defense market.
See More
