Israeli Reserve Officer Develops Weapon-Mounted Drone Control System Amid Ongoing Conflicts
On October 7, 2023, a traumatic national event deeply impacted Israel, yet it also highlighted a strong Zionist spirit, with many Israelis returning from abroad to enlist and contribute. Among them was Captain (Res.) Elad Amar of the Carmeli Brigade, who fought in Gaza and later founded the American defense startup PYRRHUS Aeronautics in 2025. The company is now publicly revealed as it seeks to raise $5 million in funding.
Amar developed an innovative system called LADRS (Laser Aiming & Drone Remote System) that allows soldiers to control drones directly from their rifles without removing their hands from the weapon, a "joystick-free" model. He tested the prototype during reserve duty deployments in Gaza and Lebanon. PYRRHUS Aeronautics, co-founded with CTO Dr. Landrew Greingarten, an aeronautical engineer from Georgia Tech, has secured contracts with Israeli special forces, the U.S. Special Operations Command, the U.S. Army, and the Marines. The company also won contracts abroad, including Singapore, and was selected for the Astra accelerator program by Starburst Ventures and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
Naomi Oliel, head of Starburst Israel, noted that LADRS uniquely enables soldiers to operate drones under combat stress with minimal training, transforming any soldier into a drone operator within minutes. The system turns a rifle into a drone controller, allowing task assignment and execution through weapon aiming, laser guidance, and button presses. The lightweight system (about 250 grams) is designed to keep soldiers’ fingers on the trigger, enhancing combat efficiency. Retired Lieutenant General Eric Wesley, a company advisor, emphasized the tactical advantage of this hands-on control method.
Due to U.S. policies favoring American-made drones, LADRS currently supports mostly U.S. drone manufacturers but aims for full compatibility with all drones by next year. Amar explained the system addresses a battlefield contradiction where soldiers are trained to keep their hands on weapons but must remove them to operate drones, thus increasing risk. PYRRHUS is also developing a second product with a major classified international defense partner.
This technological evolution reflects a broader shift in combat methods amid ongoing threats from Hezbollah and other adversaries, with over a billion shekels invested in counter-drone technologies. PYRRHUS Aeronautics exemplifies how frontline experience is driving innovation in modern warfare.
