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Unusual Machines, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 November 2026: letter to shareholders. Guidance figures: 2 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 551% year over year: Revenue was $13.9 million, up 551% from $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Net loss mostly non-cash: Net loss was $25.0 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, largely from non-cash items: an unrealized investment loss and stock compensation. Source
  • Gross margin held at 35.4%: Gross margin was 35.4% against 39.4% a year earlier; management attributed the decline to ramping component manufacturing, a shift to enterprise revenue and near-term inventory costs. Source
  • Upgrade Energy revenue nearly matched first half: Upgrade Energy generated $3.32 million in the third quarter, close to the $3.37 million of the first half of 2026, as its workforce grew from 24 to 49. Source
  • Government funds support 2027 demand: Management said several Department of War programs allocated 2026 money to drive 2027 demand without new congressional budget action. Source
  • Cash fell to $162.0 million: Cash ended at about $162.0 million, down from $229.6 million at June 30, 2026, mainly on $24.8 million of inventory purchases and $35 million of investments, including the loan receivable. Source
  • Real estate is the scaling limit: Management said ready-to-go real estate is the primary scaling limit, and the company is now actively looking for substantially more space. Source
  • Lower multiples make raising capital harder: Management said the domestic drone segment now trades at lower revenue multiples, making capital raising more challenging and less desirable for private and public companies. Source

“I am extremely encouraged by our relatively small adjusted EBITDA loss in a quarter where revenue does not yet reflect the benefits of our ongoing investments in growth.”

Allan Evans, CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Gross margin Sourcenot stated40% target
Motor production capacity Sourceonce fully operational100,000 additional motors per monthNew
Manufacturing space Sourcefourth quarter of 2026100,000 square feetNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New: Upgrade Energy acquisition closed, adding battery pack production; the company also began expanding into additive manufacturing. Source
  • New: Management said the company will shift from external investment to reinvesting internally generated gains to fund growth. Source
  • New: Allan Evans recently became Chairman of XTIA's board and is working with its new CEO on commercial market growth. Source

Quarter results and revenue

  • Revenue rose 551% year over year: Revenue was $13.9 million, up 551% from $2.1 million in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Revenue fell 17% from prior quarter: Revenue declined 17% quarter over quarter; management said this resulted from investment in foundational work for future growth. Source
  • Net loss mostly non-cash: Net loss was $25.0 million, or $0.50 per diluted share, largely from non-cash items: an unrealized investment loss and stock compensation. Source

Margins, costs and interest

  • Gross margin held at 35.4%: Gross margin was 35.4% against 39.4% a year earlier; management attributed the decline to ramping component manufacturing, a shift to enterprise revenue and near-term inventory costs. Source
  • Operating loss widened: Operating loss was $8.4 million, compared with $4.9 million a year earlier; the figures include non-cash stock compensation. Source
  • Interest income rose: Interest income was $1.7 million, up from $0.7 million, earned on the cash balance. Source

“Demand signals remain strong, and we are aggressively pursuing the market opportunity created by a need for a robust domestic supply chain.”

Allan Evans, CEO

Products, customers and related parties

  • Best-selling product near 19% of revenue: The single best-selling product accounted for about 19% of revenue; management called the mix a sign of growth across the business. Source
  • Upgrade Energy revenue nearly matched first half: Upgrade Energy generated $3.32 million in the third quarter, close to the $3.37 million of the first half of 2026, as its workforce grew from 24 to 49. Source
  • Related-party revenue in the period: About $2.0 million of third-quarter revenue and $4.2 million of nine-month revenue came from related parties. Source

Demand and government programs

  • Government funds support 2027 demand: Management said several Department of War programs allocated 2026 money to drive 2027 demand without new congressional budget action. Source
  • Drone Dominance orders finalized: The $1.1 billion Drone Dominance Program finalized its orders and allocated Phase 3 budget; about $4.5 billion in counter-drone IDIQ awards went to 10 vendors. Source
  • Allocated funds support growth into 2027: Management said already allocated money supports its growth trajectory without additional programs through at least the first quarter of 2027. Source
  • Election may add short-term uncertainty: Management said the U.S. election may bring some short-term demand uncertainty, while it believes domestic drone production has long-term bipartisan support. Source

“Our cash position is excellent as we go into 2027, and we plan on limiting any additional investments to remain well positioned for the next several years.”

Allan Evans, CEO

Cash, working capital and financing

  • Cash fell to $162.0 million: Cash ended at about $162.0 million, down from $229.6 million at June 30, 2026, mainly on $24.8 million of inventory purchases and $35 million of investments, including the loan receivable. Source
  • Working capital fell to $342.1 million: Net working capital was $342.1 million at September 30, 2026, against $367.5 million at June 30; management said the drop reflected the investment loss. Source
  • Inventory and receivables rose: Inventory and prepaid inventory rose from $42.4 million to $65.9 million; finished goods rose from $4.4 million to $9.3 million; receivables rose from $9.3 million to $18.7 million. Source
  • 2026 equity raises lifted cash: Management tied the cash increase since year-end to a March 2026 stock offering, a May 2026 at-the-market offering and January 2026 warrant exercises; cash was $103.3 million at December 31, 2025. Source

Investment portfolio

  • Three public stakes drive volatility: Management said the portfolio's volatility is dominated by three large public positions: Powerus, Xtend, and XTIA Aerospace / Drone Nerds. Source
  • Each stake tied to a different market: Drone Dominance (Xtend), counter-UAS (Powerus) and commercial markets ahead of the FAA's proposed Part 108 rule (XTIA) each provide separate exposure. Source
  • Partnerships expected to drive revenue: Management said it has strong partnerships with Powerus and Xtend and expects those investments to drive meaningful revenue as those companies win more business. Source

Manufacturing capacity

  • Equipment spending of $3.0 million: Equipment purchases were about $3.0 million in the quarter as the company continued investing in expansion. Source
  • Real estate is the scaling limit: Management said ready-to-go real estate is the primary scaling limit, and the company is now actively looking for substantially more space. Source
  • Three third-quarter capacity investments: Investments in the quarter covered more capital equipment for motor throughput and margins, growth at Upgrade Energy before closing, and additive manufacturing capacity. Source

Headcount and workforce

  • Employees rose from 240 to 276: Headcount grew from 240 to 276 during the quarter, and was above 340 when the letter was written. Source
  • Headcount to reach 325: Management expects total headcount to reach 325 employees after the Upgrade Energy acquisition closed. Source
  • Shifts added at all facilities: Management said the company is adding shifts and increasing capacity across all of its facilities. Source

Strategy and market context

  • Lower multiples make raising capital harder: Management said the domestic drone segment now trades at lower revenue multiples, making capital raising more challenging and less desirable for private and public companies. Source
  • Cash to be allocated for returns: Management said cash can be allocated across the balance sheet to eventually generate a positive return, and it measures working capital to show financial position. Source
  • Industry entering first consolidation stage: Management said the U.S. drone industry is entering the first stage of consolidation, and the need for domestic supply chains is expected to grow. Source
  • Third-party market size estimate: The company cited a Fact.MR estimate putting the U.S. drone components market at $3 billion to $5 billion. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 November 2026

  • Camera manufacturing in early 2027: The company is on track to add domestic camera manufacturing in early 2027. Source
  • Scaling in Q4 and into 2027: Management said the company is well positioned to meet emerging demand, scale in the fourth quarter, and continue that growth into 2027. Source
  • Q3 initiatives to add revenue: Management expects the three third-quarter initiatives to contribute meaningful revenue in the fourth quarter of 2026 and throughout 2027. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Order received from Powerus Source$16.9 million

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: Management said rapid growth can put pressure on gross margins. Source
  • External: Management said macroeconomic factors could reduce investment capital in the market, requiring discipline on margins and cash flow to avoid pressure on working capital. Source
  • Demand: Management expects customer concentration to rise through 2027 as the market consolidates around fewer winners. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said it executed its plan on schedule during the quarter. Source
  • On track: Management said the company remains on track with an adjusted EBITDA loss of about $0.7 million for the quarter. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.