Leveraging Steering and Homing Capabilities for Enhanced Performance

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Iron Drone announced a collaboration agreement on 29 June for the integration of interception capabilities into IAI’s advanced anti-drone system, DRONE GUARD.

Intercepting drones can be launched by day or night from a docking station that hosts several ready-to-use drones. Several drones can be launched simultaneously to address multiple targets or swarms.

IAI ELTA Systems, which develops and manufactures DRONE GUARD, has to date sold over 100 units that detect, identify and disrupt the operation of malicious drones. ELTA’s collaboration with Iron Drone is part of its strategy to collaborate with startups to leverage innovative technologies for existing systems to improve performance. ELTA is a global leader in remote sensing and radar systems, with a product portfolio that includes mission aircraft, national cybersecurity administration, ground robotic systems, anti-drone systems and homeland defense systems.

Zvi Yarom, General Manager of ELTA’s Land Systems Division, commented “The collaboration agreement and the integration of interception capabilities in IAI’s DRONE GUARD create a specialized solution for a broad range of threats. DRONE GUARD represents Elta’s extensive know-how and experience in radars, intelligence, and AI combined with Iron Drone’s unique kinetic interception solution. The integration has been tried, proven, and demonstrated in several pilots and is now being marketed to customers. DRONE GUARD is one in a full suite of solutions offered by ELTA’s Land Systems facility under construction in Beer Sheba at an investment of over NIS 100 million [€25.7 MILLION]. It will help IAI build innovative technological infrastructures and implement R&D for novel land applications.”

“The strategic collaboration with IAI’s ELTA Systems is a significant milestone for Iron Drone. The combination of DRONE GUARD’s advanced capabilities with Iron Drone’s steering and homing excellence result in a significant business and technological venture,” added Iron Drone CEO, Matan Melamed.

The advanced radar integrated with DRONE GUARD is capable of detecting drones as they enter the airspace. The intercepting drone is launched and steered to the target with the help of the radar, using sensors and computer vision to home and lock on the target up to the physical impact with the attacker and its neutralization. The entire process is autonomous, requiring no human intervention. The solution can be used in areas where other defensive systems cannot operate due to airports, populated areas, power plants, sensitive facilities or other infrastructure.