PDW, The Fourth Law and Odd Systems Announce Collaboration to Bring Ukrainian Battlefield Technology into U.S. Integration and Production
Evaluation of Kurbas camera integration and U.S. production, together with plans for U.S. thermal-sensor fabrication, advances PDW's strategy to field battle-tested technology through American engineering and industrial capacity.
KYIV-WASHINGTON, D.C., October 12, 2026 – At the AUSA Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington, D.C., North America's premier defense technology conference, American defense technology company Performance Drone Works (PDW) has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with Ukrainian defense technology companies The Fourth Law and Odd Systems to evaluate integration of Odd Systems' battlefield-proven Kurbas camera technology into PDW aircraft and explore localized U.S. production. The companies also intend to establish thermal-sensor fabrication in the United States as part of Project Foundation.
The collaboration advances PDW's strategy to identify effective technology wherever it originates, adapt it to American and allied operational requirements, and establish the engineering, qualification, manufacturing, and support needed to field it at scale.
"Ukraine is demonstrating how quickly technology can evolve when engineers and operators work closely together," said James Slider, CEO of PDW. "Our role is to help turn that operational experience into capability American and allied forces can field and sustain. With Odd Systems, we're starting with a critical component: the cameras that help operators see and understand the mission. We intend to pair proven technology with the U.S. engineering and production capacity needed to make it available at scale."
Battlefield experience, U.S. integration
Odd Systems develops and manufactures thermal and daytime cameras for combat platforms, incorporating feedback from Ukrainian operators into product development. Its Kurbas camera is the most widely used Ukrainian-made thermal camera on the frontline today. It is supplied to more than 70 drone manufacturers and flies on many types of unmanned systems, from Shahed interceptors to strike drones.
Under the MOU, the companies plan to evaluate camera integration, technical performance, and the requirements for U.S. production. PDW is intended to serve as the U.S. production and industrialization partner for The Fourth Law and Odd Systems.
The work is intended to connect technology shaped by operational use with PDW's systems engineering, integration, testing, and manufacturing capabilities. Evaluation will inform subsequent decisions on configurations, qualification, production, and availability.
From cameras to sensors: Project Foundation
Odd Systems builds its cameras around the thermal sensor, developing the electronics, image processing, and low-level firmware in-house. Project Foundation takes that work down to the sensor itself. Launched by The Fourth Law and Odd Systems on October 9, the semiconductor initiative is intended to mass-produce uncooled long-wave infrared (LWIR) sensors, also known as microbolometers, in Europe and the United States.
PDW, The Fourth Law, and Odd Systems intend to assess the potential for thermal-sensor fabrication in the United States, which would build domestic capacity for one of the most critical components in unmanned systems and defense electronics.
"Ukraine taught us the hard way that you can't build drones at scale on components someone else controls," said Yaroslav Azhnyuk, CEO of The Fourth Law and co-founder of Odd Systems. "Kurbas cameras were built and proven at the frontline. With PDW, we can bring that technology to American platforms and, through Project Foundation, build the thermal-sensor supply chain behind it on U.S. soil."
An industrial pathway for complete systems and critical components
PDW's approach extends beyond developing its own aircraft. The company is building the capacity to integrate selected partner technologies and produce critical components for its platforms and, over time, the broader U.S. and allied unmanned systems industry. That work is anchored by Drone Factory 01, PDW's 90,000-square-foot engineering and manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama.
The collaboration with The Fourth Law and Odd Systems illustrates the intended connection between operationally proven technology and domestic industrial capacity: identifying a relevant capability, evaluating it against customer requirements, and establishing a pathway to integrate, manufacture, field, and support it in the United States.
PDW at AUSA
PDW will host customer, partner, and media meetings during AUSA 2026, October 12–14 in Washington, D.C., to discuss its aircraft portfolio, partner technologies, and U.S. integration and production pathways. To request a meeting, visit www.info.pdw.ai/ausa.
The Fourth Law and Odd Systems at AUSA
The Fourth Law and Odd Systems will also be featured at AUSA 2026. Among the companies' representatives is Ihor Nakonechnyi, CEO of Project Foundation. During the exhibition, the companies will hold meetings with clients, partners, and media to discuss their collaboration with PDW, Kurbas thermal imaging cameras, and Project Foundation's plans to manufacture thermal sensors in Europe and the US.
About Performance Drone Works
Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, Performance Drone Works is an American defense technology company developing multi-mission aerial robotic systems and the software, communications, payload, training, and manufacturing capabilities that keep them relevant in the field. PDW develops proprietary systems and works with selected partners to bring proven technology into U.S. qualification, production, and support pathways. From Drone Factory 01, PDW designs, engineers, manufactures, fields, and sustains mission-ready capability for defense, government, public safety, and allied customers. Its mission is decisive airpower in the hands of every operator.
About The Fourth Law
The Fourth Law develops scalable autonomy for robotic systems, with an initial focus on defense. Founded in Kyiv, Ukraine, the company builds technologies that enable drones to continue their missions when communications are disrupted. thefourthlaw.ai
About Odd Systems
Odd Systems designs and manufactures thermal and daytime cameras for drones and other robotic systems. Its Kurbas thermal camera is the most widely used Ukrainian-made thermal camera on the battlefield, supplied to more than 200 drone manufacturers. oddsystems.io
About Project Foundation
Project Foundation is a semiconductor initiative by The Fourth Law and Odd Systems to mass-produce uncooled thermal sensors in Europe and the United States, through partner foundry lines and planned dedicated fabs: First Foundation in Europe and Second Foundation in the U.S. Headquartered in Eindhoven, Netherlands, and led by CEO Igor Nakonechnyi, Project Foundation plans initial production in 2027.
