ZenaTech, Inc. has announced that its U.S.-based subsidiary ZenaDrone is planning to begin scheduling technology demonstrations with U.S. government defense agencies, starting with its first confirmed agency demonstration. Management views this as a key step in transitioning its drone portfolio from testing to market readiness. The company is advancing through the Blue UAS certification process, a requirement for inclusion on the Defense Innovation Unit's approved products list for U.S. government procurement, with cyber testing slated for this summer across three ZenaDrone platforms.

Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech, stated that the team plans to move ZenaDrone's technology from the lab and test range into the hands of users. He noted that planning these demonstrations with U.S. government defense agencies signals that the platforms are maturing, positioning ZenaDrone to compete for future pilot programs and procurement opportunities as the Department of Defense prioritizes trusted, U.S.-made drone technology.

ZenaDrone's product demonstrations will showcase lead platforms for defense and government applications. This includes the ZenaDrone 1000, a medium-sized VTOL drone designed for specialized cargo transport and ship-to-shore delivery; the IQ Nano indoor drone designed for automated inventory management inside armories and supply depots; and the IQ Square designed for outdoor line-of-sight inspections. These platforms are advancing from internal testing and validation into live capability demonstrations for defense stakeholders.

Product Portfolio and Expansion

ZenaDrone's product portfolio under development addresses defense, government, and industrial applications. The ZenaDrone 1000 is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and specialized cargo transport. The IQ Nano serves automated inventory management and security in facilities like armories. The IQ Square handles outdoor inspections, while the IQ Quad is designed for land surveying and geomatics applications. The IQ Aqua is designed for underwater mine detection and is at the prototype testing stage.

The Counter UAS division includes the ZenaDrone 2000 interceptor drone, the IQ Glide marine-based launch station, and the Interceptor P-1, a one-way interceptor drone. These are part of an integrated maritime defense system currently at the prototype development stage. ZenaTech operates three global manufacturing facilities in Arizona, Dubai, and Taiwan, and is setting up a fourth operation in Ukraine.

Strategic Context

ZenaTech executes an acquisition-led Drone as a Service (DaaS) roll-up strategy to digitize legacy service industries. The company recently completed its 25th acquisition, Velocity Geomatics Inc., expanding into the oil and gas sector. ZenaTech aims to build a global DaaS network by acquiring profitable service companies and converting them to a DaaS model. The company previously reported 640% year-over-year revenue growth in the first quarter and expects recent acquisitions to contribute approximately C$40 million in revenue over the 12 months following closing.

ZenaTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA), a technology solution provider specializing in AI drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, has moved its IQ Aqua autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) into an active U.S. field testing program. The testing is being conducted in the Pensacola, Florida area near the company's Drone as a Service office location. This milestone marks a progression from the prototype unveiled in March 2026 to validating the drone's stability, maneuverability, sensors, and autonomous navigation in real-world marine conditions. The company is targeting a global underwater drone market expected to exceed $16 billion USD by 2034.

"Moving from prototype to structured field testing in a matter of weeks demonstrates the speed at which our team is executing on the IQ Aqua program," said Shaun Passley, Ph.D., CEO of ZenaTech. "Underwater mine detection is one of the most pressing gaps in modern maritime warfare as mines are inexpensive to deploy and dangerous and costly to clear using traditional manned methods, and militaries around the world are actively looking for autonomous alternatives."

Market Growth and Defense Applications

The broader AUV market is experiencing significant growth, with projections estimating a jump from $4.23 billion in 2025 to $14.51 billion by 2033. The naval mine detection UUV market specifically is on track to grow from $1.87 billion to $3.03 billion by 2030. Analysts suggest the AUV sector could grow as much as 24.4% annually, making it one of the fastest-growing segments in defense technology. Nearly 70% of naval modernization programs currently involve some kind of autonomous underwater system.

IQ Aqua Development and Specifications

The IQ Aqua is designed to extend ZenaDrone's IQ series family of autonomous air, land, and water-surface drones into underwater operations. Its primary focus includes defense applications such as undersea mine detection, countermeasure support, covert underwater ISR, and port and harbor threat detection. Commercial applications include the autonomous inspection of energy pipelines, bridges, and maritime infrastructure.

In parallel with the Pensacola testing, ZenaDrone is advancing development of the IQ Aqua Version 2. The team is currently ordering components and preparing for assembly at ZenaDrone's manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates, with completion targeted in the coming weeks. Version 2 is engineered to be faster than the current prototype, incorporating a different propulsion system intended to improve speed and operational range.

ZenaDrone Portfolio Expansion

The IQ Aqua joins ZenaDrone's growing portfolio of autonomous systems. The company's IQ family includes several specialized platforms:

ZenaTech plans to target U.S. defense customers, NATO partners, and U.S. allied Gulf nations as well as commercial customers. The company will provide additional updates as new developmental and testing milestones are achieved.