Aether Defense Corp

WASHINGTON, D.C. — October 12, 2026 — Aether Defense, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of energetic materials and munitions led by President Michael McHale, today announced it has signed export license agreements with a Ukrainian defense company at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2026 Annual Meeting & Exposition. Aether Defense is the first U.S.-based company to officially execute such agreements with a Ukrainian defense company, marking a new chapter in defense-industrial cooperation between the United States and Ukraine.

The agreements authorize the transfer of advanced defense manufacturing technology from Ukraine to Aether Defense's operations in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Much of this technology has been developed, tested, and refined under real-world combat conditions, giving American manufacturing access to some of the most battle-proven innovations in modern land warfare.

Innovation Built on Proven Technology

By pairing Ukraine's combat-validated engineering with American advanced manufacturing, Aether Defense will produce next-generation munitions components faster, more efficiently, and at greater scale. The company's production model is built around robotics and automation, enabling high-precision, high-safety manufacturing of energetic materials — a capability of growing strategic importance to U.S. defense readiness.

American Jobs and Economic Growth

The technology transfer will support the build-out of Aether Defense's manufacturing operations in Pennsylvania, creating more than 600 skilled jobs in engineering, production, quality control, and operations, along with significant supplier and construction activity across the region. The project strengthens domestic supply chains, reduces reliance on foreign sources for critical munitions components, and brings new private investment into America's defense industrial base.

Strengthening America's Global Leadership

The agreements reinforce U.S. leadership in defense production at a time when munitions capacity has become a decisive factor in global security. By bringing proven technology onshore and manufacturing it with American workers, Aether Defense is helping ensure the United States remains the world's most capable, most innovative, and most dominant defense power — while deepening a strategic partnership with Ukraine.

“Today's signing is about one thing: keeping America the strongest and most innovative defense power in the world,” said Michael McHale, President of Aether Defense. “Through my work with Production Systems Automation (PSA), a Pennsylvania engineering and manufacturing company specializing in custom automation, robotics integration, and defense programs, I've seen firsthand how robotics and automation transform manufacturing — improving safety, precision, and output at scale. We're bringing that same approach to munitions production, combining it with technology proven on the battlefield. This means American jobs, American production, and American strength.”

All technology transfer activities will be conducted in full compliance with U.S. export control and defense trade regulations, including ITAR, and with applicable Ukrainian law.

About Aether Defense, Inc.

Aether Defense, Inc. is a U.S. defense manufacturer headquartered in Duryea, Pennsylvania, specializing in energetic materials and munitions manufacturing. Led by a team with deep experience in industrial development, robotics, and automation, Aether Defense is committed to expanding America's defense production capacity through innovation, safety, and domestic manufacturing. Learn more at www.psasystems.com/aether-defense.

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