Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are backing Powerus, a Florida-based drone startup aiming to meet new Pentagon demand after the U.S. banned Chinese-made drones.
The company is merging with publicly traded Aureus Greenway Holdings (AGH) and is set to list on Nasdaq under PUSA later this year.
Powerus aims to expand domestic drone manufacturing and autonomous defense capabilities, positioning itself at the forefront of America’s growing market for advanced military and critical infrastructure technologies.
Powerus plans to acquire advanced Ukrainian drone technology to supply the U.S. military while simultaneously expanding domestic manufacturing and strategic partnerships to scale production.
Its leadership team, composed of former U.S. Army special operations veterans, brings direct battlefield experience and operational know-how to the venture.
“This company was built by individuals who have operated in active combat environments,” said Brett Velicovich, co-founder and former special operations officer. “We understand what works and what fails in high-risk settings, and we are fully committed to capturing this opportunity.”
According to SEC Form 8-K filings dated March 9, 2026, the merger agreement establishes Powerus as a wholly owned subsidiary of AGH.
Existing Powerus shares will be converted into AGH stock at a ratio of 599.18229 to 1, with additional earn-out shares issued upon achievement of certain milestones. The filings also detail a $9 million private placement to fund manufacturing expansion, lock-up agreements for significant shareholders, and the reconstitution of the AGH board and executive team, including Andrew Fox as CEO and Chairman, and Velicovich as President and COO.
The merger reflects broader shifts in defense technology and military procurement. The recent deployment of LUCAS drones by U.S. Central Command in Iran underscores the Pentagon’s increasing focus on low-cost, rapidly deployable autonomous systems.
Engineered for fast acquisition and swarm operations, LUCAS exemplifies the kind of capability Powerus aims to deliver. Analysts highlight that affordable, quickly fielded systems like LUCAS—which can be operational in months rather than years—could set a new standard for future U.S. military operations and defense modernization.
By combining battle-tested military expertise, domestic manufacturing capabilities, and access to public capital through its Nasdaq listing, Powerus positions itself strategically to meet the Pentagon’s demand for reliable, American-made autonomous systems.
Executives and investors will be closely watching how the company scales production, integrates advanced drone technologies, and navigates supply chain and regulatory challenges, as the market for autonomous defense systems expands amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.
Powerus’ trajectory illustrates the emerging opportunities and challenges in U.S. defense technology: the race to supply next-generation systems, the value of operational experience, and the importance of access to public capital markets to fund rapid growth.
