Connecticut-based drone manufacturer RADeCO, Inc. was featured this week by U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) as “Murphy’s Monday Manufacturer,” recognition he bestows on select U.S. manufacturers.
The RADeCO, which stands for RADiation Detection COmpany, manufactures air monitoring equipment, including drones used to detect radiation.
Murphy has been working closely with RADeCO CEO Keith Lovendale to ban the use of foreign drones by the U.S. government. Lovendale approached Murphy with concerns about U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) purchases of Chinese-made unmanned aircraft drones that were being used to spy on America.
Consequently, Murphy called on U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis to ban purchases of foreign-made commercial drones and support U.S. drone manufacturers. Murphy also secured protections for American companies against foreign-made drones in the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act of 2019.
“After hearing from Keith (Lovendale), I knew I had to do something. It was infuriating that the U.S. Department of Defense was buying Chinese drones, which posed a serious security risk, over American-made drones,” Murphy said. “Our government should be living up to its commitments under the Buy American Act. We should be buying products made right here in Connecticut and putting our manufacturers’ jobs—not to mention our national security—first. I’m proud to highlight RADeCO and look forward to working with them.”
The Department of Defense recently announced it was banning the purchase of all small commercial drones, including those made by the Chinese company.
RADeCO’s air monitors and drones are used by military shipyards, nuclear power plants, the U.S. Department of Energy, and other state health and regulatory agencies.
“We would like to thank Senator Murphy for the recognition, and for his commitment to the Buy American Act, which will go a long way to help grow businesses and create jobs in Connecticut and across the country,” Brad Lovendale, vice president of RADeCO, said.