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11 Mar 26. DroneShield (ASX:DRO) today announced the establishment of counter-UAS manufacturing in the EU, marking a major expansion of the Company’s European industrial footprint and manufacturing capacity. The announcement follows increased momentum across the continent, with national military investments growing under the ReArm Europe Plan / Readiness 2030 initiative, accelerating the need for mature, scalable, and sovereign counter-UAS capability.
Under a new collaboration with an experienced and established manufacturer, production of European-made counter-UAS systems is now underway, with delivery scheduled for mid-2026. The contract manufacturer will carry out full turnkey assembly and component manufacturing, including PCB assembly, precision machining, cable and wire harness assembly, and associated assembly and testing labour. As part of this collaboration, DroneShield has established and will continue to grow a primarily EU-based supply chain, making this the Company’s only production line currently outside of Australia.
DroneShield’s European manufacturing footprint positions the Company more competitively for EU procurement opportunities, which increasingly prioritises sovereign capability, regional production, and resilient supply chains, ensuring DroneShield can meet these expectations while delivering at scale and with reduced lead times.
10 Mar 26. US Army Tests APEX Counter-UAS Round in Arizona. The Yuma Test Center at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, recently tested a new 30 mm Aviation Proximity Explosive round, primarily developed for firing from the AH-64 Apache helicopter.
The APEX closely resembles the fielded M788 training round and M789 high explosive dual-purpose round.
Walter McCormick, a test officer at the proving ground, explained that the APEX is designed to integrate with the existing M230 gun already mounted on the Apache.
“The APEX round was developed to be a [fragmented] round that would [explode] in front of the [unmanned aerial system] and make a [small] pattern that would take out a UAS,” McCormick said, adding that the need for counter-UAS solutions is urgent.
In recent years, the UAS has become the weapon of choice on the battlefield, as seen in Ukraine and Russia. Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll is pushing for the Army to focus its efforts on UAS and counter-UAS technology. In fact, the Yuma Test Center has been designated as the primary, dedicated interagency counter-small UAS test and training range.
During testing, the center performed two subtests: the first to assess and compare it with the legacy M789 rounds, and the second test was to engage a UAS. Crews fired approximately 1,200 rounds across the two variants at both short and long ranges.
“We engaged a couple [of] different UASs and a few different ground targets,” McCormick said.
Yuma Proving Ground has nearly 2,000 square miles of restricted airspace and year-round sunshine, which makes it ideal for aerial testing.
“They have done ground testing at other ranges. The problem is they don’t have the land or airspace to do aerial firing from a helicopter. So, that’s a big benefit. Plus, all the unique instrumentation YPG offers,” McCormick said.
During the APEX test, the proving ground used its full arsenal of support capabilities to collect data, including air-to-ground assets such as chase pilots from UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters flying overhead for scoring, tracking mounts, telemetry, high-speed video, still photographers and data collectors.
These assets are readily available to industry partners testing at the proving ground.
“The Black Hawk was used primarily for overhead [scoring], so we can assess where rounds are impacting based on [the] firing point of the aircraft. The other benefit of surrounding ground camera angles was having a 360-[degree] view of the situation,” McCormick said.
The next step for the APEX is to undergo airworthiness release based on the current test results. This will provide a safety release for the APEX to be fired from Apaches by soldiers when rounds are available. The airworthiness release is a milestone on the road toward materiel release and fielding. (Source: U.S. DoD)
10 Mar 26. ARC joins Red Cat Futures Initiative to progress Bullfrog C-UAS system. Red Cat Holdings has announced that Allen Control Systems (ACS), an autonomous precision robotics company, has joined the Red Cat Futures Initiative, the company’s industry-wide consortium accelerating advanced autonomous systems for modern warfare.
ACS will collaborate with Red Cat to evaluate integration opportunities between its Bullfrog autonomous counter-drone system and Red Cat’s secure ISR platforms and command and control architecture. “The first Bullfrog integration will be with Blue Ops, Red Cat’s maritime division, equipping its Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs),” said the companies in a press release. “This integration will expand ACS’s counter-unmanned aircraft systems and precision engagement capabilities to multiple domains.”
“The rapid proliferation of small unmanned systems has reshaped the modern battlefield and requires equally advanced countermeasures,” said Jason Gunter, VP of Tech & Innovation at Red Cat. “Allen Control Systems brings innovative autonomous precision technology that complements our Family of Systems approach. By working together, we strengthen our ability to provide interoperable, American-made solutions that enhance survivability and mission effectiveness for U.S. and allied forces.”
“U.S. and allied nations are seeking cost-effective and scalable counter-drone systems to provide a new layer of protection on the move and at the edge,” said Mike Wior, co-founder and CEO, ACS. “Partnering with Red Cat and joining the Futures Initiative allows us to integrate our fully autonomous precision weapons station into a proven unmanned platform, advancing these systems beyond basic requirements and enabling them to execute more advanced and complex missions for U.S. military forces and their allies.”
The Futures Initiative connects leading robotics and autonomy innovators to accelerate the deployment of advanced capabilities, including artificial intelligence, computer vision, target acquisition, swarming, and resilient control systems. The initiative is designed to reduce integration friction, speed time to fielding, and ensure that trusted, mission-ready systems reach operators at the tactical edge faster.
02 Mar 26. MyDefence opens C-UAS facility in Oklahoma. MyDefence officially opened its U.S. counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) manufacturing and innovation facility in Oklahoma City on February 26, solidifying the Danish company’s North American production footprint.
By bringing its C-UAS production within the US, MyDefence reduces dependency on extended supply chains and supports compliance with US procurement and security standards.
MyDefence intends to collaborate with regional partners to support workforce development initiatives and contribute to Oklahoma’s growing aerospace and defence talent pipeline. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Mar 26.Royal Navy fends off drones in live-fire exercise. The Royal Navy has completed a live-fire exercise where it faced drone attacks off the coast of Wales.
Working in collaboration with Fleet Operational Standards and Training, QinetiQ delivered the four-day Sharpshooter exercise where HMS Duncan faced a number of simultaneous threats.
The ship was put through its paces in a scenario designed by Inzpire, a QinetiQ-owned company that specialises in creating immersive and realistic military training solutions. Live and synthetic drones, including QinetiQ’s Banshee Whirlwind aerial targets and Hammerhead uncrewed surface vehicles were used to target the ship alongside simulated threats such as cruise missiles, anti-ship ballistic missiles and an assortment of enemy aircraft to increase the intensity of the attack.
The training environment at the Ministry of Defence base at Aberporth tested the full spectrum of the ship’s capabilities from initial detection to neutralisation, both day and night.
The crew successfully met their objectives, tracking and neutralising five aerial targets, as well as sinking two Hammerheads. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Mar 26. Skylance DroneHammer C-UAS interceptor “costs just EUR2,500″ per engagement”
Germany’s Skylance GmbH has launched its DroneHammer close range interceptor system designed to defeat drones weighing up to 25 kilograms. The system Intercepts high-speed targets (up to 250 km/h) with a system speed of 600 km/h. It is optimized for erratic maneuvering threats and each engagement costd around EUR 2,500.00.
According to the company, DroneHammer uses a passive, digitally coded laser guidance with immunity to RF-jamming and electronic warfare countermeasures. Its proprietary CO₂ warhead generates a lethal shrapnel cloud optimized for drone neutralization while minimizing risk to critical infrastructure.
For more information:https://www.skylance.tech/ (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Mar 26. Skeydrone launches drone threat assessment platform for airports. SkeyDrone has launched RunwaySafe, a drone threat assessment platform, purpose-built for airport environments. Developed in close collaboration with airport operations teams and air traffic control, RunwaySafe has been designed to enable airports to move from simple drone detection to intelligent, risk-based decision-making.
RunwaySafe assesses each drone sighting in real time and highlights only those flights that pose a genuine and immediate risk to airspace safety or airport security. The platform visualises drone activity within a dynamic airport environment, automatically adapting to active runway configurations and operational modes.
Key capabilities include 3D airport threat zones aligned with runways, approach paths and critical operational areas; dynamic runway configuration reflecting real-time airport operations; ATM and UTM integration for unified awareness across crewed and uncrewed traffic; multi-sensor integration combining RF, radar, camera and acoustic detection systems, and post-incident analysis and compliance reporting.
RunwaySafe has been developed in close collaboration with skeyes, Belgium’s air navigation services provider, and is aligned with frameworks and guidance from EASA, ICAO, ACI and IATA. The platform also complies with the internationally recognised Detection, Identification, Tracking and Threat Assessment (DITTA) methodology (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Mar 26. Embraer and Valkerie Aero develop C-UAS AI capabilities for the A-29 Super Tucano. Embraer and Valkyrie Aero are partnering to bring Artificial Intelligence‑enabled Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) capabilities to the A-29 Super Tucano through Valkyrie’s Gunslinger. Valkyrie’s proprietary Gunslinger AI (Artificial Intelligence) suite enables real-time, enhanced C-UAS tactical decision making on the battlefield supporting the Find, Fix, Finish of unmanned threats, says Embraer. The Gunslinger is built for the evolving UAS threat landscape, ensuring an enduring and scalable solution. Valkyrie Aero’s Gunslinger further enhances the A-29 C-UAS capabilities that currently rely on existing, integrated sensors.
According to the company:
“The A-29 equipped with Gunslinger offers extremely effective and low-cost counter drone capabilities, leveraging the Super Tucano’s advanced tandem cockpit, extended loiter time, and agility. Its ability to safely match the speed of one-way attack drones creates a stable, precise engagement platform for guns, guided rockets, and other effectors.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
04 Mar 26. UAE Defence Ministry “destroying 93% of all Iranian drone attacks.”
According to United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence facebook posting earlier today (March 4) : “189 ballistic missiles launched towards the UAE have been detected, with 175 missiles destroyed, 13 falling into the sea and one missile landing within the territory of the state. A total of 941 Iranian drones have also been detected, of which 876 were intercepted, while 65 fell within the country. Eight cruise missiles were also detected and destroyed.
“The attacks caused some collateral damage and resulted in three fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationalities, as well as 78 minor injuries among individuals of Emirati, Egyptian, Sudanese, Ethiopian, Filipino, Pakistani, Iranian, Indian, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan, Azerbaijani, Yemeni, Ugandan, Eritrean, Lebanese and Afghan nationalities.
“The ministry confirmed that the sounds heard in different parts of the country are the result of air defence systems intercepting ballistic missiles and fighter aircraft intercepting drones and cruise missiles. These operations caused minor to moderate material damage to a number of civilian facilities.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
10 Mar 26. US Marine Corps announces simultaneous training and fielding of organic C-sUAS.
The US Marine Corps has conducted an expedited fielding and training approach for its Organic-Counter Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (O-CsUAS) dismounted equipment across the Fleet Marine Force.
The O-CsUAS delivers man-portable systems that provide Marines with the ability to detect, track, identify and defeat group 1-2 sUAS using kinetic and non-kinetic effects. This is a short-range self-defense capability for small units and the effectors can be integrated with the M4 rifle.
“To do the fielding and the training simultaneously is pushing towards a new era for the Marine Corps,” said Lance Cpl. Bryen Martinez with Marine Corps Base Quantico Security Battalion. “We have entered a more advanced, modern-day war. This equipment, and the ability to continuously learn on it, will help Marines employ the system’s lethality, giving us a higher survivability rate.” (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
06 Mar 26. SkySafe and Southern States to boost drone detection and airspace awareness for energy sites.
Southern States LLC and SkySafe have formed a strategic partnership to deliver real-time drone detection and airspace intelligence purpose-built for energy infrastructure. The collaboration integrates SkySafe’s drone detection platform into Southern States existing airspace awareness product line, providing utilities with airspace visibility into drone activity over substations, generations sites and transmission corridors.
The announcement comes as the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) highlighted the drone threat to critical infrastructure in a new report.
SkySafe will provide real-time drone identification, flight path history and operator location awareness. Utilities are able to distinguish authorised drones from unknown aircraft, document incidents with audit-ready logs and respond to emerging threats.
Patrick James, Director of Grid Security Solutions at Southern States, said that drone activity and terrorist threats around critical infrastructure are no longer merely hypothetical. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Mar 26. Volatus introduces software-as-a-service for C-UAS planning and simulation
Volatus Aerospace has launched a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed to support counter-uncrewed aircraft system (C-UAS) operational planning and simulation.
SKYDRA™ introduces a digital capability within the Volatus defence portfolio designed to support structured planning, simulation and readiness exercises for C-UAS operations. The platform has been developed to provide organisations with a secure virtual environment to conduct structured planning, simulation and table-top exercises before operational deployment. It is intended for use by armed forces, public safety agencies and operators of sensitive infrastructure including airports, ports, energy facilities and other strategic sites.
Volatus said SKYDRA will be offered under subscription-based licensing structures, including enterprise deployments and evaluation programmes. (Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
09 Mar 26. US War Department and FAA to Conduct Advanced Counter-Drone Laser Tests.
The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 and the Federal Aviation Administration conducted a high-energy laser test on March 7-8, 2026, to continue advancing the safe use of counter-unmanned aerial systems in the United States.
This test is part of a long-term, multi-year partnership between the Department of War and the FAA to ensure counter-drone technologies are safely integrated into the national airspace. The plan has been jointly developed by a wide range of stakeholders, with support from the White House Task Force to Restore American Airspace Sovereignty. Key partners supporting the JIATF-401 laser test include the FAA, White Sands Missile Range, the Army Program Acquisition Executive-Fires, Northern Command, and Joint Task Force Southern Border.
“This is a critical step in making sure our warfighters have the most advanced tools to defend the homeland,” said U.S. Army Brigadier General Matt Ross, Director of JIATF-401. “By working hand-in-hand with the FAA and our interagency partners, we are ensuring that these cutting-edge capabilities are safe, effective, and ready to protect Americans from emerging drone threats. Our measure of success is to quickly deliver state-of-the-art C-UAS capability to the warfighter, and this test furthers that mission.”
The test is a continuation of extensive testing conducted by the DoW over the last few decades. Earlier tests provided valuable data, further refining the system’s capabilities and advancing the collaborative effort between DoW and the FAA. This upcoming event will specifically address FAA safety concerns while gathering data about the laser’s material effects on aircraft surrogates, validating the functionality of automated safety shut-off systems, and informing analyses for aircrew eye safety.
The test underscores an ongoing unified federal effort to counter threats posed by unmanned aerial systems while maintaining the sovereignty and safety of U.S. airspace.
(Source: UAS VISION)
10 Mar 26. U.S. Army National Guard to buy Small FPV Strike Drones. The United States Army National Guard has launched a procurement effort to acquire several small unmanned aerial systems for training and operational support, according to solicitations published March 7, 2026.
The request, issued by the Tennessee Army National Guard, focuses on lightweight drones that meet the U.S. military’s Blue UAS security certification requirements.
These systems are intended for use by the 117th Regiment Regional Training Institute at the Volunteer Training Site in Smyrna, Tennessee, where National Guard personnel train on modern battlefield technologies and develop small-drone operating skills.
Small drones have become standard tools for reconnaissance, situational awareness, and field training, allowing units to practice aerial surveillance, mapping, and tactical observation without relying on larger or more expensive aircraft.
According to the solicitations, the Tennessee National Guard is seeking three categories of small drones. Each request covers two systems and requires the equipment to be approved under the Blue UAS program, which verifies cybersecurity protections and trusted supply chains.
One request calls for drones comparable to the Neros Archer with the Crossbow payload, designed for compact reconnaissance and tactical observation. Another seeks systems similar to the FlightWave Edge 130, a fixed-wing aircraft used for longer-endurance surveillance and mapping.
A third solicitation requests platforms comparable to the ModalAI Stinger Vision FPV 3.5, a small first-person-view drone suited to close-range training missions. All contracts are structured as firm fixed-price awards and limited to qualified small businesses.
This procurement falls under the aircraft manufacturing category of the North American Industry Classification System. (Source: UAS VISION/Defence Blog)
09 Mar 26. British Company Tops Leaderboard for Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Program. U.K.-based unmanned aerial system manufacturer Skycutter claimed the top position in the first round of the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance competition, earning delivery orders from the U.S. Defense Department.
The London-headquartered company was among more than two dozen drone makers selected for the program’s first competitive evaluation, known as the “Gauntlet.”
Systems from participating companies were tested beginning in February at Fort Benning, Georgia, where soldiers and defense officials evaluated their performance in a series of mission scenarios. Skycutter finished with 99.3 points—about 12 points ahead of second-place finisher Neros—according to results recently posted on the program’s website.
Skycutter SC-ISR
The other companies that placed in the top 11 and received delivery orders were Napatree, ModalAI, Auterion, Ukrainian Defense Drones, Griffon Aerospace, Nokturnal AI, Halo Aeronautics, Ascent AeroSystems and Farage Precision.
Several firms participated but did not secure orders in the first round, including Anno AI, Draganfly, DZYNE Technologies, Ewing Aerospace, Firestorm Labs, General Cherry, GreenSight, Paladin Defense Services, Performance Drone Works, Swarm Defense Technologies, Teal Drones, Titan Dynamics, Vector Defense, W.S. Darley and XTEND Reality.
The Pentagon plans to award roughly $150 million in delivery orders following the first Gauntlet, covering about 30,000 one-way attack drones that will be supplied to military units over the next five months. Program director Travis Metz told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the initiative emphasizes real-world mission performance rather than theoretical specifications.
Officials stressed that the leaderboard does not necessarily identify the best drones overall but instead reflects how systems performed in specific warfighter-designed scenarios. Different drone designs naturally excel in different tasks, such as long-range strikes, indoor maneuvering or high-agility operations.
Scoring also incorporated feedback from military operators, including usability, situational awareness, field practicality and overall operator preference. A highly capable drone that is difficult to control could score lower than a simpler system that troops can deploy quickly and effectively. Training time and simplicity also mattered.
Top Photo: Screenshot of a DOD video of Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael and Defense Innovation Unit Director Travis Metz observing a drone dominance demonstration at Fort Benning, Ga., March 2, 2026. (DoW video by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dennis Buzard)
(Source: UAS VISION/ Defense Scoop)
11 Mar 26. Thales launches SkyDefender: the integral air and missile defence dome with Artificial Intelligence
- Defence
- Land
- Naval
- TypePress release
- Published11 Mar 2026
- SkyDefender is a multi-layer, multi-domain Integrated Air and Missile Defence system providing full protection against all types of air threats, on land, at sea and in space.
- SkyDefender integrates a network of advanced sensors and effectors with a versatile command and control (C2) system. With its open and modular architecture, it is fully compatible with existing air defence systems.
- Combining Thales’ expertise in cybersecurity and advanced artificial intelligence through cortAIx, Thales AI accelerator, SkyDefender enables operational superiority and proactive defence against cyberattacks and evolving threats.
- Thales is capable of delivering this critical protection globally from today.
As air and missile threats are evolving faster than ever, from slow-moving drones to hypersonic missiles, attacks are becoming increasingly complex, saturating and unpredictable.
Thales SkyDefender provides full protection against all types of air threats, from a few kilometres to several thousands of kilometres:
- Short-range: for protection of forces, vital assets and sensitive sites: ForceShield creates a real protection bubble against lower layer and surface threats at very short- and short-range, such as drones.
- Medium-range: for protection at theatre-level defence: SAMP-T NG by eurosam1 with up to 150 km engagement range, including Thales’ powerful Ground Fire radar with 350 km range and 360°/90° coverage against medium-range defence.
- Long-range: for protection against long-range threats with early-warning capabilities: a unique capacity that empowers armed forces with superior tracking, identifying hard-to-find targets including fighter jets and ballistic missiles bolstering Space Domain Awareness. Thales SMART-L MM and UHF radars, which can detect potential threats at distances of up to 5,000 km, are key differentiators. Thales Alenia Space offers an early warning solution from geostationary orbit thanks to satellites equipped with infrared sensors that can detect a missile threat, and give the accurate location of the launch, even before it enters the areas covered by ground-based radars. Combined with the ground-based UHF advanced long-range radars, it provides a unique capability of permanent surveillance, early detection and trajectory follow-up of long-range threats.
All elements are managed through Thales’ SkyView command and control (C2) system, with SkyView Alliance ensuring seamless interoperability with NATO and allied multi-domain platforms.
Built on an open, modular architecture, SkyDefender integrates easily with existing defences and can be further developed as threats evolve. The development and deployment of the system is open to partnerships with other industrial players.
SkyDefender is fully compatible with a wide variety of sensors and weapon systems, including those from different manufacturers and existing legacy platforms.
“Thales is proud to contribute to the sovereignty of our nations with SkyDefender, the global air and missile defence dome based on our latest advanced technologies, from counter-drone protection to early warning capacities. With SkyDefender Thales provides a combat-proven system, easy-to-integrate and available today, confirming our position as a long-term trusted partner for the armed forces.” Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President, Land and Air Systems, Thales.
09 Mar 26. JIATF 401 Publishes Guide to Counter-Drone Technology and Privacy Protection.
The Joint Interagency Task Force 401 today announced the publication of “Counter-UAS Operations: Safeguarding Freedoms and Preserving Privacy,” a comprehensive guide to the sensor technologies used to detect and identify drone threats and the legal framework that governs their use.
As the threat from unauthorized and nefarious small unmanned aerial systems continues to evolve, JIATF-401 is leading the effort to deploy effective countermeasures while upholding critical privacy protections.
This new guide provides insight into the passive, non-intrusive sensor technologies — such as Radar, Electro-Optical/Infrared, and Radio Frequency Detection — that allow security personnel to maintain airspace awareness without interfering with civilian drone operations.
“Countering drones is not just a battlefield problem — it’s a homeland defense imperative,” said Brig. Gen. Matt Ross, director of JIATF-401. “Our goal is to integrate sensors, effectors and mission command systems in a distributed network that protects service members and American citizens alike.”
Brig. Gen. Ross noted, “This guide is part of our commitment to transparency, ensuring that as we deploy these critical technologies, we do so in a way that is responsible, respects privacy, and maintains public trust.”
A key focus of the document is explaining how these systems operate in compliance with Federal Surveillance Law. By analyzing only the physical properties of a signal — its “signal fingerprint” — and not the content of a transmission, these C-UAS systems can effectively identify the type of drone and its location without infringing on individual privacy.
“Our approach is to safeguard privacy by design,” said Col. Scott Humr, deputy director of science and technology for JIATF-401. “The technologies we are fielding are engineered to be effective while adhering to strict privacy principles. By focusing on data minimization and secure handling processes, we collect only what is necessary to identify a potential threat. This allows us to protect critical infrastructure and public safety without compromising the civil liberties that we are sworn to defend.”
The publication of this guide is part of JIATF-401’s broader mission to synchronize C-UAS efforts across the Department of War and with interagency partners, rapidly delivering capabilities to the warfighter and protecting the homeland. (Source: U.S. DoD)
10 Mar 26. U.S. Army to Send Merops C-UAS System Against Iranian Shahed Drones in Middle East. The United States is moving quickly to deploy the Merops anti-drone system to the Middle East within the next week. This compact, AI-powered counter-drone technology—already battle-tested in Ukraine with more than 1,000 successful intercepts of Iranian-designed Shahed drones—offers a cost-effective shield against swarming threats that can overwhelm traditional missile defences such as Patriot.
Merops is a compact counter-UAS package built around a fast fixed-wing interceptor called Surveyor, along with a launch rail, ground-control equipment, and links to external sensors. NATO says the system can launch from the bed of a pickup truck and pursue targets autonomously using radio-frequency cues, radar guidance, or thermal signatures—capabilities designed for electronic-warfare environments where GPS and communications may be degraded.
During NATO demonstrations in Poland, Merops was linked to the Italian RPS-42 radar, and officials said it can ingest tracks from multiple radar types. That allows it to integrate into layered air-defence networks rather than operate as a stand-alone system.
The economics reflect the realities of modern drone warfare. Each Surveyor interceptor costs about $14,500–$15,000, can exceed 175 mph, and can destroy a target via direct collision or a small proximity warhead. If unused, it can descend by parachute for recovery and reuse. Against Shahed-class drones—estimated to cost $20,000–$50,000—this provides a far more sustainable cost-exchange ratio than firing high-end surface-to-air missiles.
Reports say the system can also pass targeting data to other weapons, giving commanders flexibility to choose the most appropriate interceptor.
Merops is optimized for slow one-way attack drones and reconnaissance UAVs that often evade missile-focused air defences. Ukraine’s combat record has drawn Pentagon attention, with reports citing over 1,000 Russian drones destroyed and success rates near 95 percent against Shahed-type targets.
Developed by Perennial Autonomy and backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, the truck-portable system is already fielded in Poland and Romania after Russian drones entered NATO airspace—demonstrating its readiness for forward deployment. (Source: UAS VISION/FaceBook; Army Recognition)
10 Mar 26. The Fourth Law Develops Autonomous Interceptor Drone Zerov-8. Ukrainian defence company The Fourth Law has developed the Zerov-8, an interceptor drone equipped with an autonomous targeting system. It includes the TFL Anti-Shahed detection module, designed to counter enemy aerial threats such as Shahed drones.
Technical Specifications
The Zerov-8 uses a tailsitter design (vertical take-off and landing), combining missile-like speed with drone maneuverability.
- Warhead: up to 0.5 kg
- Deployment: vertical take-off, reaching climb in about 30 seconds
- Optics: day or thermal camera depending on mission requirements
TFL Anti-Shahed Detection Module
The drone carries The Fourth Law’s Anti-Shahed module, built specifically to detect and track hostile drones.
The Fourth Law’s Anti-Shahed module in action
Key features include:
- AI detection: The system autonomously identifies drones by analyzing motion patterns, thermal signatures, and other parameters.
- Target tracking: Once detected, the system highlights and tracks the target while the pilot selects the interception approach.
- Integration: The module operates onboard with a thermal camera (typically the Kurbas-640 Beta), flight controller, and video transmitter.
According to CEO Yaroslav Azhnyuk, detection is the most critical part of autonomous interception, as earlier identification provides more time and distance to maneuver before impact.
Autonomous Detection Performance
The Zerov-8 emphasizes automation rather than manual targeting.
- Detection range: up to 1 km in ideal high-contrast conditions and about 300 m in difficult weather.
- Advantage: Autonomous data processing allows the system to detect threats earlier than a human operator.
The interceptor is currently undergoing final full-cycle autonomous interception testing.
Smart Interception and Future Integration
Future versions will integrate with external radar systems to automatically calculate interception paths.
- Automated data: Coordinates can be received from Skyguard systems or ground stations.
- Resilience: Fail-safes allow operation during signal loss or electronic warfare.
- Precision: Within a 500-meter radius, the drone enters a guaranteed lock-on zone for final interception.
Cultural Naming Tradition
The Zerov-8 is named after Mykola Zerov, a Ukrainian poet and intellectual of the “Executed Renaissance,” persecuted and executed by the Soviet regime in 1937.
(Source: UAS VISION/The Fourth Law)
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Echodyne is a U.S. designer and manufacturer of advanced commercial radar solutions for defense and national security applications. The company’s proprietary metamaterials electronically scanned array (MESA®) architecture, a rare breakthrough in advanced radar engineering, leverages a physics-design approach to adapt conventional materials and deliver unexpected and beneficial behavior. The result is a solid-state, low-SWaP unit coupled with advanced software capabilities that delivers superior radar performance and unparalleled data integrity, radically improving system performance and enhancing safety for people and machines. With leading positions in counter-UAS, force protection, base security, and portable ISR, Defense Agencies and Suppliers rely on Echodyne radar for extraordinary accuracy and consistent, reliable operation.
For more information, please visit: Echodyne.com.
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