Mach Industries has been awarded a contract by the Defense Innovation Unit to develop a runway-independent unmanned strike aircraft designed to operate from ships and austere locations, the company announced Monday.Under the Runway Independent Maritime Expeditionary Strike (RIMES) program, Mach Industries will serve as the lead integrator for Atlas, a long-range unmanned aircraft being developed in partnership with Whisper Aero. The system is intended to support naval and joint-force operations by conducting long-range strike missions while requiring minimal infrastructure for launch and recovery.According to the company, Atlas will use hybrid-electric propulsion and advanced aerodynamic technology to carry payloads of up to 1,000 pounds over distances of approximately 1,400 nautical miles. The aircraft is designed to operate from unimproved landing zones and ships without large flight decks, providing greater flexibility in contested environments.Defense officials have identified expeditionary logistics and distributed operations as key priorities for future military planning. Atlas is intended to address those challenges by reducing dependence on traditional runways and fixed infrastructure while supporting operations from dispersed locations.Mach Industries said the aircraft incorporates Whisper Aero’s JetFoil propulsion technology, which is designed to improve efficiency, extend range and reduce acoustic signatures. Company officials said the system could enable operations from smaller naval vessels, including destroyers, while lowering operating costs and logistical requirements.The contract comes as the Pentagon continues investing in autonomous systems and alternative approaches to power projection. Defense Innovation Unit Director Owen West has emphasized the need for lower-cost, unmanned capabilities that reduce risk to personnel while increasing operational effectiveness.Nathan Diller, president and chief strategy officer of Mach Industries, said the partnership combines rapid development and manufacturing expertise with advanced propulsion technology to create a new operational capability for the joint force.Mach Industries said it currently operates five aircraft platforms and has produced more than 250 aircraft and over 1,000 solid rocket motors across its portfolio. The company said it plans to advance Atlas from development through testing and eventual scaled production under the RIMES program.

2026-06-24 - Mach Industries wins pentagon contract for runway-independent strike aircraft (UAS Magazine)

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Mach Industries has received a Defense Innovation Unit contract to develop Atlas, a runway-independent unmanned strike aircraft for naval and expeditionary operations. Developed with Whisper Aero, the hybrid-electric aircraft is designed to carry a 1,000-pound payload up to 1,400 nautical miles while operating from ships and austere locations with minimal infrastructure.

Mach Industries wins pentagon contract for runway-independent strike aircraft

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