# Pentagon orders hit near-record and wants drone stakes — ride the defense spending wave on Lockheed, Northrop, and Raytheon

_AI-generated trading idea · LONG · LMT, NOC, RTX_

> Canonical page: https://commonquant.ai/research/for-you/pentagon-orders-hit-near-record-and-wants-drone-stakes-ride--6268b15b-ac89-4e2e-aa0e-4a5b513bd6a3

The U.S. just ordered a near-record amount of military equipment in April as the Iran conflict drives massive demand for weapons and hardware. At the same time, the Pentagon is reportedly looking at directly funding drone companies.

## Idea

Defense orders surged to the second-highest level on record in April, which means companies like Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon are looking at a massive pipeline of new revenue. Even if a ceasefire happens, the orders have already been placed — this spending doesn't reverse overnight. On top of that, the Pentagon is exploring direct investment in drone companies, signaling the government is treating military technology as a strategic priority for years to come. The big defense contractors are the safest way to play this because they already have the contracts in hand and the stock prices are still well below the levels you'd expect if the market fully priced in this order surge.

## Key details

- Symbols: LMT, NOC, RTX
- Timeframes: 1D
- Tags: \#defense, \#geopolitics, \#momentum

## Community

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## News sources

- [Unusual Machines and other drone stocks surge on report Pentagon considering stakes in the industry](https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/28/drone-stocks-unusual-machines-donald-trump-equity-stake.html) — CNBC
- [US Defense Orders Surge to Near-Record Amid War With Iran](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-05-28/us-defense-orders-surge-to-near-record-amid-war-with-iran) — Bloomberg

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