Cheap 'Guardian' interceptors developed by Florida start-up could turn tables on Iranian drones

Inexpensive interceptors developed by a small start-up based in West Palm Beach, Florida, could be used to counter the threat posed by Iranian drones, according to a report by The New York Times on Sunday. 

Powerus has been building its drone interceptors at a United Arab Emirates facility since July, where it produces 3-D printed components and assembles them into the finished product. The design, known as the "Guardian," sells for around $5,000.

The report cited a Powerus spokesperson, who said the company produces 3,000 interceptors a month and hopes to increase that to 15,000 a month by 2027. This is helped by the product's modular design, as the readily available components easily snap together.

According to the NYT, Powerus based the Guardian on a Ukrainian drone interceptor which showed promise against Russian suicide drones. The company's website describes the interceptor as having a top "burst" speed of 340 kph, a 160 kph cruise speed, a range of 15 kilometers, 28 minutes of operational endurance, and "hundreds" of confirmed interceptions.  

The NYT noted that the Guardians, originally produced in the United States, are not a complete solution to the interceptor shortage currently facing the US military after its war with Iran. The design cannot counter ballistic missiles and other larger threats, which are better suited to more expensive options, such as Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3.

US company builds cheap interceptors as Pentagon hits shortage 

That said, the design still holds promise, with Powerus signing a $22.3 million contract on Thursday to protect Middle Eastern oil and gas infrastructure.

“This commercial contract reflects the direction we believe the counter-drone market is heading: toward integrated, networked protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure,” said company co-founder and COO Brett Velicovich.

“We are starting with the capabilities our customer needs today while providing an architecture that can expand as the threat and operational requirements evolve," he added.

"Powerus is bringing US-based engineering, manufacturing and technology to help protect the operations that power that infrastructure."

Price competition for interceptor, UAE-interested in further involvement

Another spokesperson told the NYT that the company faces price competition, with a California-based drone interceptor developer listing a basic model for about $5,000.

According to the report, the UAE has recently sought out opportunities for the development and assembly of interceptors on its own territory, having faced thousands of drones and ballistic missiles fired by Iran recently.

UAE seeking 'sovereign capability,' regional researcher says

International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) research associate Albert Vidal, based in the region, told the NYT that the primary goal of constructing the interceptors in the UAE is to establish "sovereign capability."

“The reaction in the UAE is: ‘We’re going to continue buying as much as we can from the US, but we will also buy from other players, and we are also going to produce stuff at home,’” he said.