AIRO Projects 15%-25% 2026 Revenue Growth as Defense Backlog Tops $150M
AIRO reiterated its 2026 revenue growth forecast of 15%-25% as Q1 revenue fell to $8.9M and net loss reached $15.5M. The company’s defense drone backlog topped $150M while shifting resources toward AI-enabled cargo and ISR platforms and expanding manufacturing capacity.
1. Q1 Financial Performance
AIRO reported first-quarter 2026 revenue of $8.9 million, down from $11.8 million a year earlier. Gross profit declined to $2.4 million with margin contracting to 26.6%, while net loss reached $15.5 million and adjusted EBITDA loss stood at $12.8 million.
2. Full-Year Outlook Reiterated
Despite weaker Q1 results, management maintained its 2026 revenue growth target of 15% to 25%, citing seasonality, shipment timing, and ongoing investments in scaling operations. The company remains confident in meeting its full-year goals based on current backlog and market demand.
3. Defense Backlog and Strategic Shift
As of April 30, AIRO’s defense-focused backlog exceeded $150 million, driven by AI-enabled drone, ISR system, and defense mobility contracts. The company is reallocating resources from passenger drones to cargo and defense platforms to capitalize on elevated defense spending.
4. Manufacturing and Product Development
AIRO is expanding its Denmark manufacturing facility to boost production capacity and margins. Key milestones ahead include Blue UAS certification and the launch of new AI-enabled unmanned systems targeting U.S. and allied defense customers.