Ascent AeroSystems just became the first US-based small drone manufacturer to lock in CMMC Level 2 certification, and that’s a much bigger deal than it sounds.
The Massachusetts-based company, now owned by Robinson Helicopter Company, is joining a very exclusive club — less than 1% of the Defense Industrial Base has achieved this cybersecurity milestone ahead of the Pentagon’s November 2025 deadline. Translation? Ascent’s digital walls are ironclad, and the Department of Defense (DoD) is likely taking notes.
The certification, known formally as the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0, is the federal government’s gold standard for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). In simpler terms, it proves Ascent can keep sensitive data safe — a must-have for companies that want to build drones for defense and federal use.
“In today’s complex and ever-changing security landscape, cybersecurity readiness is a cornerstone of national defense readiness,” says Paul Fermo, Ascent’s president. “At Ascent, our commitment to security is part of our DNA.”
And that DNA runs deep. Ascent’s drones are Blue UAS Cleared, NDAA-compliant, and MOSA-ready — meaning they can be field-upgraded, customized for missions, and built at scale without breaking compliance rules. Combine that with a perfect cybersecurity assessment score of 110 out of 110, and you’ve got a company that’s essentially future-proofed itself against the government’s toughest standards.
Why does this matter? Because as the Pentagon pushes to integrate more uncrewed systems across military branches, very few American drone makers are in a position to meet every technical and security box on the checklist. Ascent just became one of them — arguably the only small UAS partner that checks every DoD requirement.
It’s also a rare win for the “made in America” drone ecosystem at a time when US lawmakers are pushing to cut reliance on Chinese technology. With its secure, modular, and scalable coaxial platforms, Ascent seems poised to become a go-to supplier for defense, public safety, and industrial missions.
“Being the first small UAS manufacturer to earn CMMC 2.0 certification is a testament to the rigor and discipline of our team,” Fermo adds. “Their unwavering commitment to excellence is at the core of why Ascent continues to be a trusted, ready partner to deliver the secure, American-made UAS solutions the DoD requires.”
More: This new American drone reads license plates from 2,000 feet away
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments