A series of recent test accidents involving Anduril’s Altius winged drones has drawn attention after two systems crashed consecutively during trials at the U.S. Air Force’s Eglin Base in Florida. According to the test summary, the first drone plunged vertically from roughly 8,000 feet, while a second Altius test shortly afterward ended with the drone spiraling out of control and crashing. These incidents had not previously been disclosed by the company.
Fast-Rising Defense Company Under Pressure
Following the surge in interest in unmanned systems after the war in Ukraine, Silicon Valley–based Anduril has become one of the most heavily funded firms in the defense sector. Since late 2022, the company’s valuation has more than tripled, reaching $30.5 billion.
Altius, described as a drone capable of both reconnaissance and strike missions and launchable from land, air, or sea platforms, has been supplied in large numbers to Ukraine since 2022. Company founder Palmer Luckey claimed in March that Altius drones had “destroyed hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of Russian targets.”
Gap Between Test Results and Battlefield Performance
The back-to-back test failures, combined with additional issues in the Ghost drone program, have fueled doubts about Anduril’s claims that its systems are “combat ready.” Former employees, military officials, and Ukrainian operators who spoke to Reuters echoed concerns that the systems’ real-world performance has not consistently matched expectations.
It was also noted that 96% of drones used in Ukraine are domestically produced, limiting the overall impact of Western-made systems.
Anduril: Failures Are a Natural Part of Testing
A company spokesperson described the crashes as “isolated events within hundreds of tests,” stating:
“We push these systems to their limits. Such test failures are intentional and crucial for learning.”
Anduril said the Altius fleet has accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours, but did not release detailed data on the recent test results.
Pentagon Announces New Procurement on the Same Day
On the same day the tests were conducted, the Pentagon unveiled a new procurement program worth up to $50 million for Altius drones. The package is intended for “testing, training, and support.”
Problems Persist in the Ghost Drone Program
Anduril’s helicopter-style Ghost drone has also faced multiple challenges, both in Ukraine and during U.S. military exercises in Europe.
- Early Ghost models lost flight plans due to Russian electronic warfare systems.
- Although the upgraded Ghost X model entered service in December 2023, one unit lost control and crashed near soldiers during a training event in Germany in January 2025.
U.S. Army officials stated that “hard landings and system failures are natural” during such testing phases.
