$Ondas(ONDS.US) Comparing the list of participants in the US Department of War's drone competition with the registration list from early February, ONDS's biggest competitor $Kratos Defense & Security(KTOS.US) has dropped out. It was replaced by Titan, a 3D-printed drone company, likely because its competition drone was too expensive and didn't meet the Department of War's strict criteria.

In stark contrast to the fading out of $Kratos Defense & Security(KTOS.US), the four partners of Ondas Holdings ($Ondas(ONDS.US)) have a strong presence in the final shortlist of 25 companies:

• Confirmed shortlisted: Anno.Ai, W S Darley, Performance Drone Works (PDW), and Ukrainian Defense Drones Tech Corp (DFG) have all entered the official testing list.

• Competitive advantage: These four affiliated companies, in which Ondas holds stakes, controls, or provides technology, are jointly competing for a spot in the top 12 to secure initial contracts of over 1,000 units each and Blue UAS fast-track certification.