Graduate of UAS Accelerator program in Pendleton makes history
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, July 8th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – Lorica Technologies of Ashland did something that’s never been done before in a test with the Oregon National Guard (ONG). Lorica’s Mule 28 drone successfully delivered a live explosive payload for the first time in partnering with a military client.
On June 22, soldiers with Bravo Company, 741st Brigade Engineer Battalion of ONG used the heavy-lift drone to carry and remotely detonate a live Bangalore torpedo against a wire obstacle at Orchard Combat Training Center in Idaho.
Lorica Technologies was a member of the Oregon UAS Accelerator’s Spring 2026 Cohort. By the end of the program, Lorica had placed second at the Oregon UAS Innovation Showcase, led the entire cohort class in capital raised, advanced its technology readiness level, and grown from nine to 17 full-time employees.
“Participating in the Oregon UAS Accelerator was an excellent experience for our company,” Christopher Dye of Lorica said. “We were able to do deep dives into our business model and explore additional applications for our solutions with a wide range of subject matter experts.”
Dye added that the company will be fully utilizing the Pendleton UAS Range over the course of the next few months as they prepare to go to market.
To see the successful operation complete with explosion, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6W_8fL55qk
Photo courtesy of Major Wayne Clyne, Oregon National Guard Public Affairs. The load being dropped is circled in red.
