Smart Shooter Secures Major US Contract for Drone Interception Systems

Israeli defense tech firm Smart Shooter has been awarded a framework contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to supply its SMASH drone interception systems as a sole provider. The deal, valued at up to $150 million over 36 months, is the largest ever for the company and includes systems, training, and related services. This program aims to bolster U.S. forces' capabilities in protecting personnel, bases, and strategic assets against unmanned aerial threats, both domestically and abroad.

The ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Iran have underscored the significant threat posed by drones to ground forces and strategic locations worldwide. The ability of inexpensive, commercially derived drones to inflict substantial damage on even advanced weapon systems has prompted the U.S. to seek solutions. Smart Shooter's SMASH systems, already in use by thousands of U.S. military personnel, are designed to counter small, fast drones before they can cause harm.

Michal Mor, CEO of Smart Shooter, stated that the contract is a "significant milestone" in expanding the company's presence in the U.S. defense market. The SMASH systems, known as "Dagger" in the IDF, are fire control systems that attach to light weapons. They track targets, calculate firing solutions, and synchronize shot release for precise engagement, enhancing soldier lethality and survivability against moving targets while maintaining effectiveness against ground targets. The operator retains full control and decision-making authority.

The contract will be executed through JIATF 401, a joint task force established in August 2025 focused on combating small drones by integrating capabilities from various U.S. military branches and federal law enforcement agencies. This new agreement follows a previous contract with the same task force announced in March 2026 and a series of other recent contracts with U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps.

Smart Shooter, founded by former Rafael employees and publicly traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, was valued at approximately 989 million shekels ($260 million USD) following a 25% surge in its stock price on the day of the announcement. The company's systems are currently utilized by security forces in the U.S., Israel, the UK, Germany, and other NATO allies.