Ohio drone startup Agilis Air to pre-build 55 low-cost UAS systems for rapid defense deployment

Agilis Air, Inc., a defense tech drone startup spun out of legacy drone manufacturer Theiss UAV Solutions, specializes in low-cost, adaptable, and AI-driven unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for dual-use defense and commercial applications.

Located in North Benton, Ohio, Agilis Air developed its "Remora" UAS system for affordability, modularity, and rapid U.S. production. Its 3D-printed airframe and domestically sourced components allow for immediate deployment.

The start-up is accelerating U.S. drone production with grant funding from three sources: The YBI ENGINE Tech Incubator, the Youngstown Innovation Hub for Aerospace & Defense (managed by the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining), and the federally funded YBI Rising Tides Initiative. The awarded funds enable Agilis Air to pre-fabricate 55 Remora systems for immediate deployment, reducing delivery times from months to days. This initiative directly addresses a growing challenge facing the Department of War (DOW) as it moves toward its 2026 drone mandate. While demand is expected to reach approximately 1,000 drones per month, more than 10,000 annually, current suppliers struggle to meet both cost and scale requirements. Today's average small UAS unit costs remain near $7,000 per drone, with lead times of up to three months for orders of 1,000 units. The DOW's target, however, calls for production at scale at a price point below $2,000 per unit, a gap that remains largely unmet across the market.

“Our Agilis 'Remora' was designed specifically to allow for rapid mass-production of a low-cost, high-performance UAS, and thanks to the Youngstown Innovation Hub grant, we can bring this much-needed solution into reality,” says Shawn Theiss, CEO & founder of Agilis Air. “The caliber of people and support from YBI has truly been remarkable.”

Agilis Air’s manufacturing approach is designed to close this gap by enabling scalable, low-cost, NDAA-compliant UAS production while strengthening domestic supply chains. Ultimately, this initiative supports defense modernization efforts, expands U.S. industrial capacity, and advances the goal of fielding affordable, expendable drones at scale, while reinforcing supply chain resilience, self-reliance, and mission readiness.

From a broader perspective, the Youngstown Innovation Hub grant demonstrates how targeted funding can empower emerging defense manufacturers, drive innovation, and reinforce national security priorities, contributing to the revitalization of advanced manufacturing capabilities across the United States.