Draganfly Inc. (NASDAQ:DPRO) shares gained 4% on Wednesday after the company announced it had been selected by the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory for a counter-unmanned aircraft system development program.
The company will work alongside F4 Defense International to create a modular and integrated counter-UAS platform aimed at detecting, identifying, tracking, targeting, and neutralizing hostile drones in contested operational settings.
Initial Contract to Focus on Integration and Field Testing
According to Draganfly, the first phase of the contract will center on systems integration, development of operational capabilities, and field evaluation activities.
The planned platform is expected to combine persistent tethered airborne surveillance and targeting systems with AI-driven drone detection and tracking technologies.
Additional features will include real-time situational awareness for battlefield and base defense operations, coordinated electronic and kinetic countermeasure capabilities, and rapid deployment functionality designed for both expeditionary and fixed-site missions.
Company Highlights Growing Drone Warfare Demand
“The modern battlefield has fundamentally changed,” said Cameron Chell, CEO of Draganfly. “Low-cost drones have become one of the most disruptive asymmetric threats facing military forces, governments, and critical infrastructure operators globally. This program represents another important step in Draganfly’s continued expansion into advanced defense and force-protection technologies.”
The announcement reflects the increasing global emphasis on counter-drone warfare technologies as low-cost unmanned aerial threats continue to reshape military conflicts and infrastructure security strategies.
Counter-Drone Market Expected to Expand Rapidly
Industry research cited by the company projects that the global counter-UAS market could exceed $20 billion by 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing areas within the defense industry.
Draganfly said it continues to broaden its footprint in the defense and security markets through the development of autonomous systems, AI-powered platforms, tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance technologies, and mission-critical drone solutions for allied military and public safety organizations.