Florida Startup Making Low-Cost Drone Interceptors for the Iran War
The startup says its factories make about 3,000 interceptors a month and aim to reach 15,000 worldwide by mid-2027.
- On Thursday, West Palm Beach start-up Powerus signed a $22.3 million contract to supply Guardian drone interceptors protecting Middle Eastern oil and gas infrastructure.
- Driven by over 2,200 Iranian drones fired at UAE targets, the region sought affordable alternatives to expensive PAC-3 systems that cost millions per unit to counter $40,000 Shahed drones.
- The Guardian interceptor costs around $5,000 and derives from a Ukrainian design, featuring a 340 kph burst speed, 15 kilometers range, and 28 minutes of endurance with "hundreds" of confirmed interceptions.
- Powerus currently produces 3,000 units monthly at its UAE facility and aims to scale to 15,000 interceptors monthly by mid-2027 to meet surging regional demand.
- International Institute for Strategic Studies associate Albert Vidal notes the effort aims to establish "sovereign capability," though the Guardian cannot counter ballistic missiles requiring expensive systems like the PAC-3.
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US firm to start building antidrone tech in the UAE
US-based defense firm Powerus is manufacturing drone interceptors in the UAE, the latest sign of the Gulf looking for new ways to defend itself against Iranian drone attacks. The firm has provided training, components, and software to assemble its Guardian interceptor to an Emirati contractor, The New York Times reported. The UAE facility will make around 30 interceptors a day, with a plan to get up to 100 a day soon.Localization of defense manu…
The US startup making low-cost interceptors for the Iran war
WASHINGTON — In a small warehouse in the United Arab Emirates, workers spend up to 12 hours a day snapping together 3D-printed components to make interceptors capable of knocking Iranian drones out of the sky at speeds of up to 200 mph. The post The US startup making low-cost interceptors for the Iran war appeared first on West Hawaii Today.
Trump-Backed Dronemaker Signs Deal With Gulf-Based Energy Firm
A dronemaker backed by President Donald Trump’s sons struck a $22.3 million deal to sell counter-drone detection equipment to an energy company in the Persian Gulf, capitalizing on private firms’ push to protect themselves amid fallout from the Iran war.
US firm Powerus wins $22.3 million contract to protect Middle East energy infrastructure from drones
U.S. drone and radar maker Powerus said on Thursday it had signed a commercial contract worth approximately $22.3 million to supply counter-drone technology aimed at protecting oil and gas infrastructure in the Middle East.
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