Nine drone startups to split US DoD order for 60,000 drones

The US Department of Defense will divide an order for 60,000 drones among nine startups, including Eric Schmidt-founded Perennial. The competition requires no China-made parts.

• Pentagon order for 60,000 drones split among nine startups
• Participants include Perennial, founded by Eric Schmidt
• Competition requires full exclusion of Chinese components