A company founded by US Army veterans has presented a high-speed interceptor designed to counter the growing threat of cheap aerial systems on modern battlefields.
The interceptor, called Guardian-1, is intended to give military forces a counter-drone solution that costs less than the threats it is meant to confront.
It is built for high-volume production, with developer Powerus aiming to match the mass-production scale of one-way attack drones such as the Iranian Shahed system.
Those systems have become a defining feature of recent conflicts, including the Ukraine-Russia war, where relatively inexpensive drones have been used to strike high-value assets.
While various solutions have emerged, counter-drone warfare has triggered a “missile math” problem where military forces are spending millions of dollars per shot to take out threats that only cost tens of thousands.
Against that backdrop, Powerus is positioning Guardian-1 as a response to this asymmetric dynamic, with an emphasis on production methods that enable rapid fielding.
The new interceptor recently completed flight tests during war-gaming exercises at the National Training Center, where it demonstrated its performance in high-intensity scenarios.
High-Speed Chasedown
Powerus described Guardian-1 as a lightweight, single-operator counter-drone platform capable of reaching speeds of up to 340 kilometers (211.2 miles) per hour.
It features a carbon fiber airframe reinforced to maintain structural integrity during high-speed flights.
Beyond one-way attack drones, the interceptor is also intended to counter loitering munitions and other fast-hitting aerial threats.
Guardian-1 is now available to government and industry partners, with the company offering rapid delivery for urgent counter-drone needs.
“Guardian-1 was developed based on real-world operational use and feedback from operators who understand current mission requirements,” Powerus Co-Founder Brett Velicovich said.
“Evolving battlefield threats can’t wait on long research and development cycles. Swarms of low-cost attack drones are overwhelming defenses, and must be addressed now.”
