BigBear.ai Pushes ConductorOS for Multi-Drone Missions as Q2 Revenue Rises 13%

2 articles · Updated · Zacks Investment Research · Aug 5

ConductorOS was highlighted in BigBear.ai’s second-quarter 2026 update as software that lets one operator manage fleets of drones from multiple manufacturers, targeting military demand for autonomous mission management.
BigBear.ai is centering that pitch on rising spending for autonomous warfare and counter-drone systems, arguing its vendor-agnostic software can cut operator workload and fit surveillance, reconnaissance and mission coordination missions.
Q2 revenue rose 13% to $36.7 million, gross margin expanded 781 basis points to 32.8%, and backlog increased 9% from year-end 2025 to $269.6 million as management reaffirmed $135 million-$165 million full-year guidance.
About $410 million in cash and investments gives the company room to fund product development and acquisitions as it competes with AeroVironment and Kratos through a software-first strategy rather than drone hardware.
The positioning comes with market skepticism still intact: BigBear.ai shares are down 41.6% year to date, and the stock carries a Zacks Rank #4 despite trading at a 9.62 forward price-to-sales ratio.