The US military has selected Zone 5 Technologies to participate in the Counter NEXT program, an initiative launched by the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to rapidly deploy new systems capable of shooting down or disabling enemy drones, Defense Blog reports.
It is noted that Zone 5 Technologies became one of two participants in the program. The second company was Anduril Industries.
Zone 5 Technologies said its Interceptor platform was selected to counter UAVs. The system is available in both air and ground configurations. It combines a modular missile, launcher, and open command and control (C2) system.
The Interceptor platform is designed to destroy UAVs, as well as deliver high-precision strikes on both air and ground targets. The missiles themselves are equipped with high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing warheads, which provide kinetic capabilities for hitting targets.
The company says its solution can be manufactured for about half the cost of similar systems. Zone 5 also notes that Interceptor has an open architecture, which ensures easy integration of the platform with both legacy and future systems.
It is separately noted that interceptor missiles can be launched from existing Hellfire launchers.
Previously, the American company Raytheon signed a contract for over $5 billion for missiles against UAV swarms.