US defence technology company Performance Drone Works (PDW) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Ukrainian companies The Fourth Law and Odd Systems at the annual AUSA defence technology exhibition in Washington. The Fourth Law and PDW reported this in press releases.
The companies want to assess integrating Odd Systems’ Kurbas cameras into PDW drones and explore the possibility of localised production in the US. PDW уточнили, that the initial work will focus on joint development and evaluation of a configuration of the Kurbas-640 camera family that meets US requirements and is export-ready. PDW is expected to become a manufacturing and industrialisation partner for The Fourth Law and Odd Systems in the US.
The work is intended to combine technology shaped by real-world use with PDW’s capabilities in systems engineering, integration, testing and manufacturing, the press release said. The assessment results will underpin further decisions on configurations, certification, production and availability, the statement added.
PDW, The Fourth Law and Odd Systems also intend to assess the potential for producing thermal imaging sensors in the US as part of the Project Foundation initiative.
As a reminder, on 9 October The Fourth Law and Odd Systems announced the launch of Project Foundation—an initiative for mass production of uncooled thermal imaging sensors in Europe and the US. Under Project Foundation, they plan to create a manufacturing network whose first factories—First Foundation and Second Foundation—will be located in Europe and the US respectively. The network will have a shared technology base and its own sensor developments. Production is scheduled to begin in 2027
The Fourth Law and Odd Systems were founded in Kyiv in 2023. The companies operate in Ukraine, the rest of Europe and the US. The founding team has 14 years’ experience in camera development, including the production of more than a million consumer smart cameras.
The Fourth Law develops scalable autonomous solutions for robotic systems, with a primary focus on defence. The company creates technologies that allow drones to continue carrying out missions despite communications jamming.
Odd Systems develops and manufactures thermal imaging and daylight cameras for drones and other robotic systems. Odd Systems’ main products include the Kurbas-256, Kurbas-384 and Kurbas-640 thermal cameras, and the Svitlych-662 daylight digital camera. The company also produces FPV platforms, including Lupynis-10 and Horska-12.
Odd Systems co-founder Yaroslav Azhniuk said in a comment to the US publication Defense Daily that, despite significant localisation of production in Ukraine, some components—for example, camera sensors—come from China. However, he added, the company has received strong interest from the United States and is considering building a semiconductor plant there capable of producing the required number of thermal sensors.
Performance Drone Works is a US defence technology company that develops multi-purpose drones, as well as software, communications, payloads, training and manufacturing capabilities that keep them relevant in field conditions.