Shares of Redwire (NYSE: RDW) have surged 80% so far in 2026. The company is benefiting from increased interest in the space sector, especially amid SpaceX‘s much-awaited initial public offering (IPO) this month. Besides the excitement surrounding the space economy, the Pentagon’s recent announcement of a $1.1 billion drone program has been another tailwind for Redwire’s stock.
With the stock surging this year, investors may be wondering: Is it too late to buy? Here’s what they should know about Redwire and its long-term outlook.
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Redwire’s space and drone businesses are growing
Redwire has historically produced hardware, including sensors, solar arrays, and on-orbit manufacturing, for customers in the space industry. During NASA’s recent Artemis II mission, the company’s advanced optical imaging and solar sensors were used on the Orion spacecraft. It has also developed the first commercial greenhouse for space, and its facility on the International Space Station supports orbital agricultural research.
Last year, Redwire expanded its capabilities by acquiring Edge Autonomy for $925 million, transforming it from a space infrastructure company into a defense technology business. This acquisition provides it with Edge Autonomy’s uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), such as the Penguin, which has been extensively used in Ukraine’s war with Russia.
SpaceX’s public debut this month has put a spotlight on the space economy and its vast potential, and Redwire has benefited from these strong tailwinds. The company is viewed as a pick-and-shovel stock for orbital infrastructure. It has also been exploring its ability to supply solar energy generation systems for space-based artificial intelligence data centers to help support the growing global demand for compute.
First-quarter results were boosted by its Edge Automony acquisition
In its defense segment, Redwire is already reaping the benefits of this acquisition. In the first quarter, the company saw over $20 million in purchase orders from the Marine Corps. It also saw a $15 million follow-on order from the U.S. Army and a major tactical drone modernization contract with a NATO ally. This strong growth comes as the Pentagon spends $1.1 billion on the Drone Dominance Program.
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