To strengthen counter-drone defenses, the Pentagon has accelerated development of new interceptor systems, enlisting Anduril Industries and Zone 5 Technologies to advance prototypes intended to neutralize large, military-grade drones. The Defense Innovation Unit’s Counter NEXT initiative selected the companies for their work on adapting commercial technologies to military applications, with a focus on Group 3 and heavier drones that present serious operational and infrastructure risks. From an initial pool of over 65 teams, both firms rapidly completed design and flight-testing milestones within a year. Following these results, DIU granted additional funding to refine the systems, integrate them with existing combat networks, and prepare for a live-fire assessment in summer 2026. The interceptors rely on modular open architectures and commercial components to keep production efficient and resilient. Counter NEXT addresses limits in current defenses—namely cost burdens, limited reload capacity, and compatibility issues—while advancing a new standard for counter-UAS integration. The Pentagon’s broader push includes initiatives like AMP-HEL laser platforms and Apache-mounted counter-UAS systems, underscoring the move toward flexible, multi-layered defense against evolving drone threats.
