The United States Air Force has increased its investment in unmanned systems by awarding a contract worth up to $90 million to Tandem Defense, a subsidiary of Powerus, for the supply of small drones designed for air-denial missions.
The agreement, valid through July 2028, allows additional orders to be placed according to operational needs, providing greater flexibility to rapidly expand defensive capabilities against airborne threats.
The equipment falls under the Group 1 category, the smallest class of drones used by the U.S. Armed Forces. Despite their compact size, these systems are designed to intercept hostile unmanned aircraft before they reach bases, troops or strategic equipment.
The growing use of low-cost drones in recent conflicts has made this type of capability increasingly important for protecting forces in the field.
Specializing in tactical drones, Tandem Defense has already supplied thousands of systems to the U.S. Armed Forces and allied countries. Its solutions include fiber-optic-guided FPV drones that are resistant to electronic interference, as well as interceptors capable of destroying kamikaze drones through direct collision, offering a more affordable alternative to traditional missile-based air defense systems.
The contract also includes operator training, the supply of support equipment and ongoing technical assistance for military units. The initiative is part of a broader Pentagon strategy to expand the use of drones and strengthen defenses against unmanned aircraft, complementing other recent programs aimed at acquiring counter-drone technologies for different branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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Source: Defence Blog | Photos: U.S. Air Force | Powerus. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
