Performance Drone Works took on a leading role at the Robert Irvine Foundation’s fifth annual Red Wine & Blues, serving as title sponsor for the evening held on September 15, 2026. The gathering took place at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, and drew senior military leaders representing every branch of the armed forces. For a drone maker whose leadership is made up largely of veterans, the event offered a direct connection to the military community the foundation was created to support.
Dinner served as the centerpiece of the night. Guests sat down to a four-course menu designed by Chef Robert Irvine, who founded the organization, and the dishes were prepared by military cooks and Enlisted Aides. With leaders from across the services seated together in one room, the program later moved on to formal remarks and the presentation of an annual award recognizing the work of Enlisted Aides.
Performance Drone Works Joins as Title Sponsor
The announcement identifies Performance Drone Works as the Stars & Stripes sponsor, and the company is credited as the title sponsor of the event. It describes itself as a US-based manufacturer of mission-ready drones and aerial robotic systems. Robert Irvine said the backing of a title sponsor allows the foundation to expand what it does for the people it serves, and he pointed to the company’s close ties with the military as a reason the partnership carried extra meaning.
“A title sponsor helps us do more for the men and women we serve. With Performance Drone Works, it means even more because they understand this community firsthand and share our commitment to the people in uniform.” Robert Irvine, Founder of the Robert Irvine Foundation
That connection runs deep inside the company. Performance Drone Works is led largely by veterans, and the veteran-led team behind it builds and develops equipment that service members are using today, which places the business close to the same population the foundation supports. Matt Higgins, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of PDW, described the foundation’s work as a promise to keep showing up for those who served once they return home, and he credited the event with helping deliver that support.
“The work of the Robert Irvine Foundation reflects a simple but powerful commitment: the men and women who served our country should know that we will continue to show up for them when they come home. Red Wine & Blues brings people together around that responsibility and helps the Foundation deliver support that makes a real difference for veterans and their families. We were honored to be a part of this special event and applaud the Foundation’s ongoing mission to support the wellbeing of those who served.” Matt Higgins, Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of PDW
Enlisted Aide of the Year Honored at Red Wine & Blues
The formal program featured remarks from senior military leaders as well as Juan Andrade, CEO of USAA. The evening wrapped up with Robert Irvine recognizing the 2026 Enlisted Aide of the Year, Petty Officer First Class Caleb Abdinoor of the U.S. Navy. Irvine also acknowledged the nominees from all six military branches, and a photo from the event shows him standing alongside the group of 2026 nominees.
Performance Drone Works is headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, and operates as a defense technology company developing multi-mission aerial robotic systems for defense, government, and public safety customers. The PDW drone lineup is intended to fill the space between low-capability drones and high-end platforms, with the aim of delivering scalable airpower at the edge. Its systems are designed starting from the operator’s needs, produced at scale in the United States, and shaped by real-world deployments, and the company says it is working to create a new category of tactical robotic systems along with the manufacturing capacity to supply them.
The Robert Irvine Foundation works to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of service members, veterans, first responders, and their families. Its Food, Wellness, and Community programs are aimed at feeding, supporting, and linking together the people who serve, with a focus on building resilience early rather than waiting for a crisis to arrive. Irvine, a chef and entrepreneur, started the organization so that those who protect others do not have to carry that burden by themselves.
