Aerial Systems Technology CEO of the Year 2024 (USA): Fatema Hamdani

CEO Monthly has recognized Fatema Hamdani, Co-founder and CEO of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, as the 2024 Aerial Systems Technology CEO of the Year (USA). In an in-depth feature, the publication highlights Hamdani’s personal journey and the mission-first ethos behind Kraus Hamdani Aerospace.

From standing across from the Twin Towers during 9/11 to building enterprise intelligence systems that turn data into action, Hamdani’s career has consistently focused on solving real-world problems through technology. That trajectory culminated in the founding of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, which builds fully autonomous, ultra-long endurance unmanned aerial systems with zero emissions. These systems are designed not only for national defense, but also to support disaster relief, emergency communications, and environmental monitoring.

The K1000ULE, Kraus Hamdani’s flagship electric platform, is the world’s longest-endurance Group 2 UAS. It uses onboard AI, solar-electric propulsion, and bio-inspired design to perform autonomous missions that support global connectivity and safety. Hamdani and her team sit across the full technology stack, from motor design to software integration, ensuring every system is purpose-built for mission adaptability and long-duration flight.

Hamdani emphasizes that Kraus Hamdani Aerospace doesn’t build “technology for the sake of technology.” Instead, every innovation is driven by urgent global needs and tested against real-world constraints. The company continues to scale through government funding, not by preserving outdated contracts, but by pushing the boundaries of what autonomous systems can do to save lives and enhance mission success.

Read the full story at CEO Monthly.