The U.S. Air Force has awarded Firestorm, a San Diego-based startup, a $100-million contract to supply small unmanned aerial systems (UAS), including its flagship Tempest 50 drone, alongside support services and research and development efforts.
According to a December 18 announcement from the Department of Defense, the contract encompasses Firestorm’s integration into AFWERX Prime Proving Ground and supports key Air Force projects such as Adaptive Air Enterprise, Babbage Flock, and Hale Cluster. Additionally, the deal includes further development of robotic and autonomous platforms for interoperable devices.
The work will be conducted in San Diego, California, and is expected to be completed by December 16, 2031. The award falls under the SBIR Phase III program, with $5,000 from fiscal 2024 research, development, test, and evaluation funds already obligated.
Firestorm is currently developing two UAS platforms: the modular, multi-mission Tempest 50 and the under-wraps El Niño.
The Tempest has already proven its versatility and effectiveness in recent U.S. Army exercises, where it was deployed to emulate adversarial drones resembling fast-moving flying-wing models like the Shahed-141 and Shahed-161. During these exercises, the Tempestoperated as both a red-team asset and a low-cost target drone, enabling realistic scenarios to test air defense systems.
Beyond its adversarial simulation capabilities, the Tempest can also serve in reconnaissance and strike roles. Configurations of the drone are available for precision bombing and direct fire missions, showcasing its adaptability across a range of military operations.
While details about the El Niño drone remain classified, Firestorm has confirmed that the platform is in its design phase. The company has not disclosed technical specifications but emphasized its potential for groundbreaking applications.
The Air Force’s partnership with Firestorm highlights a growing reliance on innovative drone technologies to address modern battlefield challenges. The Tempest’s flexibility in both offensive and defensive scenarios aligns with the military’s focus on scalable, cost-effective solutions for multi-domain operations.
Firestorm’s inclusion in projects like AFWERX and Adaptive Air Enterprise further underscores its role in shaping the next generation of autonomous systems, positioning the company as a key player in the evolving defense landscape.