AIROBOTICS Ltd. a leading provider of autonomous unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”) and automated data analysis and visualization platforms, announced that it will acquire the intellectual property, technical systems, and operations of Iron-Drone Ltd., an Israeli-based company specializing in the development of autonomous counter-drone systems. Subject to completion of all legal terms and conditions, Airobotics intends acquire Iron Drone, to integrate Iron-Drone counter-drone technology with the Company’s networked Optimus Urban Drone Infrastructure. The system will provide additional capabilities, specifically when deployed for homeland security applications in “smart cities,” and for the monitoring and protection of critical infrastructure and complex commercial environments.
“We’re thrilled to bring Iron-Drone and its sophisticated counter-drone technology and products to Airobotics,” said Meir Kleiner, CEO of Airobotics. “Incorporating the technology of Iron-Drone with our Optimus Urban Drone Infrastructure System will allow us to offer our customers an advanced and unique integrated solution, enabling an even more robust automated homeland security platform. The Iron-Drone counter-drone system enables the interception of hostile drones, in areas where it is not possible to use jamming means, such as airports, populated areas, and critical infrastructures. Through the Airobotics’ drone network, security and surveillance officers will be able to neutralize these threats while utilizing Optimus drones for monitoring, observation, and video surveillance.”
In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in the use of drones and other small, unmanned vehicles by terrorist and criminal elements for the purpose of attacking and disrupting the functioning of strategic facilities, such as airports and oil and gas facilities, as well as mass events and city centers. The small size of these aircraft, and the nature of their slow and low-altitude flight, makes it difficult to locate them, and this is usually done only when they are very close to the target. These aircraft may also be used for intelligence gathering, smuggling and as weapons.
The counter-drone capability, whereby counter-drones are launched from a counter-drone docking station to be integrated into Airobotics Optimus UAS platform, is a complementary feature to the Airobotics UAS platform, which is capable of operating day and night. Once integrated, the small, unmanned counter-drone aerial vehicles can launch at a fast pace, equipped with interception means, thus enabling the simultaneous handling of several hostile drone targets.
As soon as detection is established, an interceptor drone will be launched, and will fly towards the target under the guidance of the radar and the detection systems currently installed around the world. At this stage, the intercepting drone will identify and “lock on” to the target, using computer vision capabilities together with artificial intelligence, and will follow the target as well as perform the interception, by physically damaging the attacker’s tool and neutralizing it. The interception process will be carried out autonomously and without any need for human intervention.