Counter-Drone Contract Award
Smart Shooter Secures $150 Million U.S. Contract for AI Counter-Drone Systems
Anonymous
Key Points
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The solicitation attracted 50 bids, according to Army Technology, despite Smart Shooter ultimately receiving a single-award contract.
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The SMASH system combines AI, computer vision and target-tracking algorithms, and can connect to external sensors and battle-management systems; it also preserves the rifle’s normal use against ground targets.
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The agreement is a firm-fixed-price contract, with an estimated completion date of September 27, 2029; Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal is the contracting activity.
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Smart Shooter’s shares rose 30.63% on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange after the announcement, taking its market capitalization above NIS 1 billion, according to Globes.
Smart Shooter, an Israeli defense company, won a major U.S. contract worth up to $150 million to supply counter-drone rifle systems. Army Technology reports the company secured a 36-month framework deal with the Department of War's Joint Interagency Task Force 401 for its SMASH technology. The contract supports the Domestic Shield program and protects American forces and bases from drone attacks at home and overseas. The actual spending will depend on individual orders — the $150 million is a ceiling, not a guaranteed purchase.
Smart Shooter's stock surged 30.63% on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange after the announcement, Globes reported, pushing the company's value above $300 million. The SMASH system combines artificial intelligence and computer vision to track targets and tell operators when they can shoot accurately — but the operator always decides whether to fire. Thousands of these systems are already deployed with U.S. military forces.
How SMASH Works as a Smart Rifle Sight
The SMASH system mounts on standard rifles and uses cameras and algorithms to track moving targets. Unmanned Airspace explains it calculates exactly when a shooter can fire accurately, making difficult shots possible. The rifle keeps its normal ability to engage ground targets. The system can also connect to external sensors and battle-management systems, giving soldiers real-time intelligence from the battlefield.
Intense Competition for Counter-Drone Technology
The U.S. military attracted 50 bids for this counter-drone contract, Army Technology reported, showing how competitive the market is. Smart Shooter won as the sole supplier despite the heavy interest from other companies. The contract runs through September 27, 2029, and uses a firm-fixed-price model, meaning costs are locked in. The Army Contracting Command at Detroit Arsenal manages the deal.
A Stepping Stone in Smart Shooter's U.S. Expansion
This is not Smart Shooter's first win with the U.S. military. The company has already landed earlier contracts with JIATF-401 and other American defense agencies. SUAS News notes the framework agreement offers flexibility — the military can order what it needs across the 36-month period without committing to the full $150 million ceiling. That means the contract's full value won't count toward Smart Shooter's official order backlog until actual orders arrive.
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