Agri Spray Drones, the Boonville, Missouri, company that has built a nationwide business distributing and supporting spray drones, says it will begin manufacturing agricultural drones and developing its own technology on U.S. soil — starting with U.S.-based quality control and small-batch assembly in 2026.

The company also confirmed its next spray drone platform is already in production, with additional specifications promised later this year.

Founder and CEO Taylor Moreland said the move draws on years of direct operator experience rather than a purely industrial logic.

"We have spent years training operators, dealers, and service providers – supporting them through spray season and learning what works in the field and what creates unnecessary friction," Moreland said. "Now, we're using those lessons to help shape the products, software and autonomous systems our customers will depend on next."

Why move from distribution to manufacturing?

Through its dealer network, training programs, technical support and parts inventory, ASD has developed a close view of how spray drones perform in the field and where operators hit obstacles. The company argues that controlling quality, product development, software and the supply chain will shorten the distance between operator feedback and the teams making product decisions.

The strategy also gives ASD more direct responsibility for the technology it supports — a notable shift for a company whose reputation so far rests on service rather than manufacturing.

What does the roadmap look like?

ASD has set out a three-phase schedule:

• 2026: U.S.-based quality control, small-batch assembly, selected U.S.-designed components and U.S.-based servers.
• 2027: Full-scale assembly, U.S.-managed software, a new U.S.-designed frame, more U.S.-made electronics and increased domestic component sourcing.
• 2028: Expanded U.S. sourcing of critical components.

Moreland cautioned against reading the first phase as the end goal.

"We're not asking anyone to confuse the first step with the finish line," Moreland said. "We'll be clear about where we are today and where we're headed next."

What is the new platform?

The upcoming aircraft serves as a bridge between ASD's distribution history and products over which the company will hold greater control. Built on its existing platform, the new model introduces improvements informed by field operations, according to the company:

• More accurate and efficient application performance.
• More robust power connectivity.
• Improved component durability.
• More intuitive serviceability.

The company did not disclose pricing, tank capacity or release dates. Full product details are expected later this year.

How far does the autonomy ambition go?

ASD's longer-term vision extends beyond the aircraft itself. The company is developing technology aimed at a progressively autonomous spray operation that reduces repetitive work between flights. Its Drone Dock already automates the refill process, which ASD said cuts operator exposure to chemicals and raises operational efficiency.

Moreland framed the target as system-level autonomy rather than a single smarter drone.

"The future isn't one autonomous drone. It's an autonomous operation," Moreland said.

For operators weighing capital spending on spray drones against rising input costs, the specifics — capacity, application accuracy figures and service terms — will be the numbers to watch when ASD releases full details later this year.