Trump Jr.–backed little-known drone company wins multimillion-dollar Pentagon contract

On November 27, 2024, Unusual Machines announced that Donald Trump Jr. had joined its advisory board—bringing his name and 331,580 shares valued at roughly $4 million in the company. Less than a year later, the once-obscure Florida-based drone company has landed a multimillion-dollar Pentagon contract —its largest deal yet with the U.S. military—and its stock is soaring.

According to The Financial Times, Unusual Machines has been awarded a contract to produce 3,500 drone motors and other key components for the U.S. Army. The deal could soon grow much larger, with the military expected to order another 20,000 parts next year. CEO Allan Evans declined to reveal the contract’s value, but investors didn’t wait for details—shares of the company jumped as much as 13% on Friday.

“Florida-based Unusual Machines, a little-known drone company backed by Donald Trump Jr, said the US army had contracted it to manufacture 3,500 drone motors, alongside various other drone parts,” The Financial Times reported.

Unusual Machines, Backed by Donald Trump Jr., Wins U.S. Army Multimillion-Dollar Drone Contract

The timing has raised eyebrows. Trump Jr., who joined Unusual Machines as an adviser in late 2024, reportedly holds 331,580 shares valued at around $4 million. The company insists his role is purely advisory and unrelated to the Pentagon deal. “Don has never communicated with anyone in the Administration on behalf of Unusual Machines or about the contract in question,” a company spokesperson told The Financial Times. “His advisory role with them has nothing to do with interfacing with the government.”

“Don Jr. joining our board of advisors provides us unique expertise we need as we bring drone component manufacturing back to America,” Unusual Machines CEO Allan Evans said in a November news release. “He brings a wealth of experience and I look forward to his advice and role within the Company as we continue to build our business.”

Founded and led by CEO Allan Evans, Unusual Machines (NYSE American: UMAC) designs and manufactures drones and related components. Once known mainly in the hobbyist and FPV (first-person view) drone community, the company has been making an aggressive push into defense—part of a broader effort to build an American-made drone supply chain independent of China.

Unusual Machines has been expanding its footprint through acquisitions and strategic deals. In 2024, it bought Fat Shark, a top FPV goggle brand, and Rotor Riot, a popular drone e-commerce and community platform. Then in 2025, it launched a “drone treasury strategy” to invest in companies building the domestic drone ecosystem, starting with a stake in Safe Pro Group, which develops AI-based landmine detection systems.

The company now supplies drone components that meet strict U.S. defense standards, allowing it to compete for military contracts. Its affordable flight controllers and motors are being integrated into next-generation defense drones. Headquartered in Orlando, Unusual Machines has also expanded internationally, acquiring Australia’s Rotor Lab to boost production capacity.

For a company that was virtually unknown a year ago, the Pentagon deal marks a major leap—and a turning point. What began as a niche drone maker for hobbyists is now positioning itself as a key supplier in America’s race to reclaim drone manufacturing from foreign competitors.

And with a Trump family member on its advisory board, this once-obscure company has suddenly found itself in the spotlight—right at the intersection of politics, defense, and emerging technology.