Smart Shooter Secures Largest Contract in Company History with US Deal

Israeli defense tech firm Smart Shooter has significantly expanded its presence in the U.S. market by securing a three-year framework contract potentially worth up to $150 million. The agreement, part of the U.S. Domestic Shield program managed by JIATF-401, focuses on acquiring drone defense systems for bases, forces, and infrastructure.

This IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contract allows the U.S. military to place orders for Smart Shooter's systems over the contract period, up to the specified ceiling. The actual value will depend on the orders placed, but the framework provides a streamlined procurement process, eliminating the need for new contracts for each subsequent purchase.

Smart Shooter, which reported an order backlog of $51.6 million at the end of June, sees this $150 million framework as a major opportunity to scale its operations. The U.S. military awarded similar framework contracts to multiple anti-drone system suppliers, with some companies receiving up to $500 million and others up to $250 million, aiming to maintain a diverse range of solutions and ongoing competition.

The company develops fire control systems that integrate with light weapons, enabling soldiers to identify, track, and engage moving targets, including drones. The system uses image processing and algorithms to assist the soldier in timing shots for higher hit probability.

The U.S. is already Smart Shooter's primary market, accounting for approximately 42% of its order backlog ($21.9 million) by the end of the second quarter. In the first half of the year, the company signed new contracts worth about $43 million, 55% of which were from U.S. clients. This new contract follows a series of previous deals with various branches of the U.S. military, including recent orders for its SMASH 2000LE and SMASH 3000SA systems.

The increased U.S. investment in drone defense stems from the growing threat posed by small, inexpensive drones to military personnel and infrastructure. The U.S. approach emphasizes a multi-layered defense strategy, and Smart Shooter's systems are positioned to provide a tactical solution for soldiers engaging aerial targets with their personal weapons.