AG3 Labs Scales Production of Military Training Drones
The startup delivers thousands of drones monthly for counter-drone testing, evolving from university-led NASA research.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Space
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Founded in 2024 by Michigan State University graduate Gavin Gardner, AG3 Labs produces thousands of drones monthly for military training exercises. The company emerged from research that previously earned Gardner two NASA University Student Research Challenge grants in 2021 and 2023.
Why it matters
AG3 Labs addresses the military's growing demand for low-cost, disposable platforms required to test and calibrate counter-drone defense systems. By scaling production from university-level research to industrial-grade manufacturing, the firm supports essential training for modern combat scenarios.
The company maintains a production capacity of thousands of drones per month to meet U.S. Army requirements. This scale represents a transition from the research-focused laser-powered drone systems developed during the 2023 NASA University Student Research Challenge.
The players
Gavin Gardner
The founder of AG3 Labs who transitioned from university drone research to commercial military supply.
AG3 Labs
An aerospace startup that manufactures thousands of drones monthly for U.S. Army training.
NASA
The federal agency that funded the early research projects foundational to the startup through university grants.
U.S. Army
The military branch utilizing the firm's drone technology for counter-drone system testing.
The details
AG3 Labs produces hardware designed as targets for military counter-drone systems, which detect, track, and disable incoming aerial threats. The company leverages manufacturing processes developed from Gardner's earlier NASA-backed research on aerial cargo drone concepts and laser-powered propulsion. These systems are optimized for the low-cost, high-volume requirements of repetitive military training exercises.
Timeline
2021: Gardner participates in his first NASA University Student Research Challenge.
2023: Gardner's team receives a second NASA University Student Research Challenge grant.
2024: Gavin Gardner co-founds AG3 Labs.
Spring 2025: Gardner graduates with a master's degree.
The Tech Race
The transition of AG3 Labs from the NASA University Student Research Challenge illustrates the rapid path from academic experimentation to critical military hardware. This scaling effort reflects a broader industry shift where university-bred drone research directly feeds into national defense supply chains.
AG3 Labs focuses on government-facing military training contracts rather than consumer markets. Consequently, these systems are not available to hobbyists or commercial operators and serve exclusively as target practice for military counter-drone assets.
The takeaway
The company serves as a template for how university-led research can scale into specialized defense manufacturing. Readers should monitor future U.S. Army procurement announcements to see how the firm's output adapts to evolving electronic warfare requirements.
Further reading
For broader trends in the industry, see our coverage of Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NASA.
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