New York, January 29, 2026, 15:25 (EST) — Regular session
Ondas Inc shares tumbled roughly 8%, hitting $11.29 by Thursday afternoon. Earlier, the stock fluctuated between $12.44 and $11.16. Trading volume topped 74 million shares.
This shift is significant since defense procurement has evolved beyond just technology. Landing a spot on the government’s cleared list speeds up buying cycles and broadens the range of agencies that can rapidly purchase the equipment—exactly what traders look for in small, quick-turn stocks.
The spotlight intensified when the Defense Innovation Unit announced the Blue UAS Cleared List is moving under the Defense Contract Management Agency’s purview. Buyers are now directed to a DCMA-managed “Blue List” portal. 1
Ondas announced late Wednesday that its American Robotics unit’s Optimus drone received Blue List status from the DCMA. This puts the drone on a roster of approved, secure, NDAA-compliant unmanned aircraft systems. Chairman and CEO Eric Brock called the move “an important milestone” and said the designation “validates the Optimus drone” for defense applications. 2
The stock acted like a momentum play throughout the week. On Tuesday, shares jumped almost 10%, then held steady on Wednesday. Volume stayed heavy, ranging between 90 million and 100 million shares each day, per StockAnalysis data. 3
Ondas Capital announced plans to hold a private, invitation-only “UXS Showcase” in Tallinn, spotlighting unmanned systems trialed in real-world settings, with insights drawn from Ukraine. 4
Investors got a new filing to digest. In an amended current report dated Jan. 27, Ondas disclosed the update includes financial statements and pro forma details related to its finalized acquisition of Israel-based Sentry CS Ltd. The deal was valued at $224.6 million, comprising $134.1 million in cash plus $90.6 million in shares.
Ondas markets autonomous aerial and ground systems via its defense-focused divisions, while its networks unit handles private wireless equipment. The company has aggressively targeted critical infrastructure and government sectors with its drones and counter-drone technology.
Blue List status doesn’t guarantee a contract, and Washington’s purchasing process often drags, even with all the paperwork in order. Delays in awarding contracts or stronger bids from other approved suppliers can push a stock like this to trade more on news buzz than on actual earnings.
Next, traders will be looking for any moves from cleared-list approval moving into procurement actions — and if Ondas updates its calendar, which is currently empty. 5
Many investors are eyeing earnings as the next key milestone. According to MarketBeat, Ondas is set to report next on March 11, before the opening bell. 6
