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Small drones are no longer viewed as niche military tools. They have rapidly evolved into essential platforms for surveillance, combat support, communication, and battlefield intelligence. Their low cost, versatility, and adaptability are transforming how modern militaries operate in complex and contested environments. On July 10, 2025, the U.S. Secretary of Defense called small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) “the biggest battlefield innovation in a generation.” That statement was quickly followed by a major policy shift.
A new Executive Order titled Unleashing American Drone Dominance was issued just days later. It called for an accelerated buildup of domestically manufactured drones that are fast to deploy, cost-effective to produce, and capable of meeting increasingly sophisticated mission requirements. The order placed pressure on U.S. manufacturers to scale up production rapidly while navigating tight procurement windows, new compliance frameworks, and evolving battlefield expectations.
Meeting these challenges requires more than updated assembly lines or faster labor. It demands next-generation composite materials that are both structurally robust, readily available, and quick to cure. At Makobond, we are committed to supporting this critical mission with prepreg and adhesive systems that address speed, cost, performance, and compliance all in one package.
A Composite Advantage Built for Speed and Strength
Makobond provides U.S.-made prepregs, film adhesives, paste adhesives, and specialty compounds engineered for defense-grade performance and industrial scalability. These composite systems are specifically formulated to cut manufacturing cycle times, increase output rates, and reduce energy consumption without sacrificing the high strength, toughness, and thermal stability required in unmanned flight systems.
Our HyperCure P-2244 prepreg systems are designed to complete cure cycles in just 5 minutes. Compared to traditional autoclave cycles that can take several hours, this represents a substantial leap in productivity. Manufacturers can process more parts per day, free up critical equipment, and reduce the energy costs associated with longer cure cycles.
This fast-curing capability also enables quick turn repairs, field-level fabrication, and easier integration into low-volume or prototype production environments. With out-of-autoclave (OOA) compatibility, Makobond materials eliminate the need for specialized curing infrastructure in many cases, opening the door for greater design and production flexibility anywhere in the world.
Delivering Lightweight Performance for Demanding UAS Applications
Weight and strength are mission-critical for drones. Every extra gram affects flight time on target, payload capacity, and fuel consumption. Makobond’s composite systems help fabricators build lighter parts without compromising mechanical performance. Our laminates are engineered for high specific strength, meaning they deliver maximum load-bearing capability at minimum weight.
This balance is especially important for drone structures such as fuselages, propeller blades, access panels, and internal support elements. High strength-to-weight ratios contribute to better maneuverability, longer flight endurance, and enhanced payload integration, allowing systems to carry advanced optics, weapons, or communication devices without loss of agility. Makobond high Tg epoxy, BMI, polyimide, and cyanate ester prepregs are used for high temp ducts, surfaces, exhaust, nozzle, RF window and radome components.
For platforms exposed to varying environments, our materials also offer excellent resistance to heat, moisture, and chemical exposure. These features extend the service life of drone components and improve reliability during long missions, harsh deployments, or extended storage time in hot climates prior to use.
Meeting the Urgency of Defense Procurement
Time is now a limiting factor for drone production. The Department of Defense has announced plans for experimental drone deployments as early as September 2025, with mass production scaling into 2026 and beyond. Supply chains that once operated on peacetime timelines must now respond with the agility and precision of wartime urgency.
Makobond is uniquely positioned to support this demand. All of our materials are manufactured in the United States using a domestic supply chain. This simplifies logistics, accelerates delivery, and supports compliance with new Blue List sourcing requirements. For program managers and procurement teams navigating new regulatory expectations, sourcing from Makobond reduces the risk of certification delays or DCMA scrutiny.
Innovation Through Partnership: MakoLab
No two drone platforms are the same. As designs evolve and mission profiles diversify, material requirements must also adapt. That is why Makobond operates a dedicated development program known as MakoLab. This initiative gives manufacturers direct access to formulation expertise and rapid material development capabilities.
MakoLab helps partners develop custom resin systems, modify existing prepregs, and produce short lead equivalents to imported or long lead time materials. This flexibility ensures that material availability will not become a bottleneck in your program. Whether you are scaling from prototype to production or replacing obsolete formulations, MakoLab gives you the tools to move quickly and maintain control of your supply chain. Our in-house testing capability of physical and mechanical properties can allow for concurrent design and test cycles for the fastest design iterations and field test results.
Our team can also provide drop-in replacements to legacy materials, advise on cure cycle adjustments, and optimize formulations for specific processing environments. This level of collaboration ensures not only material compatibility but also a faster path to qualification and field readiness.
Why Makobond is the Right Partner for UAS Manufacturers
Makobond is more than a supplier of composite materials. We are a strategic partner for drone and defense manufacturers focused on speed, scale, and national readiness. Our materials are engineered for rapid production, field reliability, and regulatory simplicity, all backed by an expert team and a U.S.-based supply chain.
If you are building UAS platforms that require high performance parts with fast turnaround times, Makobond can help. Our standard products are ready for immediate deployment, and our custom capabilities can solve complex material challenges before they impact your timeline. From prepregs and adhesive films to specialty compounds and compliance support, we deliver composite materials that match the urgency of today’s defense environment.
Looking Ahead: The Future of American Drone Production
The strategic landscape is changing quickly, and drones are at the center of that transformation. With the right materials, U.S. manufacturers can meet rising demands, maintain tactical superiority, and support long-term military resilience.
Makobond is proud to support this new era of American drone production. Connect with our team to learn more about how our prepregs, resins and adhesives can help you accelerate your build, meet Blue List requirements, and stay ahead of your mission.
Need support for your next aerospace composite build? Our team can help you choose the right system for strength, precision, and flight-tested performance.
