5 Drone Stocks Poised for Liftoff in 2026

The drone industry is soaring to new heights, fueled by military demand, AI-powered autonomy, and expanding commercial applications.
With global tensions boosting defense spending and commercial adoption accelerating, these five companies are well-equipped for future gains.
Each of these companies boasts unique involvement in the drone industry and offers compelling reasons to consider them strong buys for the future.
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The drone industry is experiencing explosive growth, driven by increasing demand in defense, commercial applications, and critical infrastructure.
Amid this surge, investors are eyeing companies at the forefront of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.
Here are five drone stocks to put on your radar now and why they could be strong buys for the future.
1. AeroVironment– The Leader in Tactical Drones
AeroVironment (NASDAQ: ) dominates the military and small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) sector, with its flagship Switchblade loitering munition and Puma reconnaissance drones seeing heavy demand from the Pentagon. As the U.S. and allies ramp up defense spending, AVAV is a prime beneficiary.
Source: Investing.com
The company is also expanding into AI-driven autonomous swarming drones, making it a key player in next-gen warfare. With strong contracts and rising global tensions, AVAV is a long-term growth story.
Trading at approximately $320 per share with a market cap of almost $16 billion, analysts forecast significant upside. The consensus rating is a strong buy, with price targets averaging $383 by 2026, implying over 20% growth.
Source: Investing.com
AeroVironment commands a financial health score of 2.21, reflecting solid fundamentals, robust government ties, and a diverse unmanned systems portfolio.
2. Textron– A Defense Giant with Drone Warfare Innovations
Textron’s (NYSE: ) drone involvement comes through its Systems division, which develops uncrewed aircraft like the Aerosonde VTOL UAS for reconnaissance and security operations. The company is also a leader in unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), making it a rare dual-threat in autonomous systems.
Source: Investing.com
TXT’s balanced portfolio makes it a resilient pick for long-term investors eyeing modest but steady growth in UAVs. Furthermore, the company’s deep defense contracts and R&D investments make it a reliable play for balanced drone exposure.
Priced at around $90 with a $15.9 billion market cap, TXT earns a buy as a top value stock. Analysts predict a 2026 price target of as high as $115, a potential 28% upside.
Source: Investing.com
Textron is the relative value play, with a financial health score of 2.42, offering a blend of defensive strength and valuation discipline in the drone sector.
3. Kratos Defense– High-Speed, AI-Powered Military Drones
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: ) excels in high-performance unmanned systems, particularly tactical and target drones. Its flagship product, the XQ-58 Valkyrie, is a low-cost, jet-powered platform highlighted in Pentagon demonstrations for affordable drone warfare.
Source: Investing.com
The company also provides avionics and mission systems for edge operations, positioning it as a key player in next-gen unmanned tech. Kratos’ agile R&D and strong DoD ties make it a standout as military priorities shift toward unmanned and AI-enabled warfare.
At a current price of about $92/share and a $15.5 billion market cap, KTOS is a compelling buy due to recent momentum and analyst enthusiasm. Shares surged recently on a new buy rating and $30 million in contracts, with price targets reaching up to $150— a potential 63% upside.
Source: Investing.com
Kratos Defense boasts the strongest health score of the group at 2.45, highlighting investor confidence in its expansion in hypersonics and unmanned systems.
4. Ondas – The Future of Drone Connectivity
Ondas (NASDAQ: ) is the backbone of autonomous drone communication, providing high-speed wireless networks for industrial and defense drones. Its IronDrone platform enables secure, real-time drone operations, making it indispensable for logistics, surveying, and military applications.
Source: Investing.com
As 5G and smart-city infrastructure expand, Ondas is positioning itself as the go-to for drone connectivity—a critical niche with massive upside.
Trading at $12.84 with a $4.8 billion market cap, ONDS is poised to