Redwire’s Defense Tech backlog nearly doubled during the first half of 2026 as strong demand for autonomous systems, sensors and intelligence technologies pushed the segment’s quarterly book-to-bill ratio to 2.35x.
Defense Tech backlog reached approximately $220.2 million as of June 30, up from $111.4 million at the end of 2025, an increase of roughly 98%. Redwire’s total contracted backlog increased to $542.1 million from $411.2 million over the same period, with Space representing $322 million of the quarter-end balance.
The Defense Tech segment secured $145.1 million of contracts during Q2 against $61.9 million of recognized revenue, producing the 2.35x book-to-bill ratio. Across Redwire as a whole, quarterly contract awards reached $165.8 million compared with $117.1 million of revenue, resulting in a 1.42x book-to-bill ratio.
The strength extends beyond a single quarter. Over the trailing 12 months, Defense Tech generated $337.3 million of contract awards and $217.4 million of revenue, representing a 1.55x book-to-bill ratio. Redwire’s companywide trailing 12-month book-to-bill reached 1.52x compared with 0.87x a year earlier.
Redwire’s Defense Tech business includes combat-proven autonomous systems, optical sensors, advanced optics, resilient energy systems and radio-frequency payloads designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its uncrewed aerial systems are used for surveillance, logistics, reconnaissance, border security and emergency response.
Recent contract activity includes follow-on Stalker Block 30 orders from the U.S. Marine Corps Portfolio Acquisition Executive Robotic Autonomous Systems and the 1st Aviation Brigade at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence. Redwire also secured Penguin uncrewed aerial system contracts from an undisclosed NATO ally and Taiwan Color Optics for the Taiwan Coast Guard.
The company delivered nearly 200 Octopus intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance payloads during the first half, more than 15% above the prior-year level, and announced two new Octopus products, the E140 MWIR and E180 HD MWIR.
Defense Tech generated $61.9 million of Q2 revenue compared with $5.1 million a year earlier, although the year-over-year comparison reflects the timing of Redwire’s June 2025 acquisition of Edge Autonomy. National security customers accounted for $41.5 million of Q2 Defense Tech revenue, with commercial and other customers contributing $20.1 million.
Overall Redwire Q2 revenue increased 90% to $117.1 million. Gross margin improved to 28% from negative 31%, while the company’s net loss narrowed by $56 million to approximately $41 million.
Redwire ended June with $557 million of cash and cash equivalents and another $50 million available under existing credit facilities, giving the company additional liquidity as its contracted defense and space programs expand.
