Dedrone Acquires Aerial Armor: the Rising Demand for Counterdrone Tech

Dedrone Announces Acquisition of Aerial Armor

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian M. Crosby

Smart airspace security leader Dedrone announced its acquisition of counterdrone systems and drone detection leader Aerial Armor. This new acquisition will allow Dedrone to provide the leading technology platform to meet the rising demand for airspace security and counterdrone protections. Dedrone will maintain all of Aerial Armor’s customer contracts and keep all employees onboard, including CEO Russ Haugan and CTO Matt Altman, and customers will face no changes in the near term. Dedrone will gradually make use of both companies’ best solutions to enable customers to incorporate a multi-sensor fusion, cUAS (counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems) command and control (C2) platform into their security infrastructure.

“We have created a fantastic rapport with the team at Aerial Armor and are greatly impressed with their technology, expertise and the strong customer relationships they’ve built. As we come together under the Dedrone umbrella, we’re confident we will continue to find great synergies in our respective platforms and bring new innovations to market for our customers. All of our customers around the world will reap the benefits of our more powerful C2 cUAS system, powered by inputs from a multitude of sensors including radio frequency (RF), radars and cameras in a single UI,” said Dedrone CEO Aaditya Devarakonda. “I am thrilled to have Russ, Matt and the entire Aerial Armor team join Dedrone. We are constantly looking for the finest talent in the market and Aerial Armor provides one of the best groups of individuals with a deep understanding of the cUAS space. I have a lot of respect for the business they have built and am looking forward to building the best-of-breed solution for our customers.”

The acquisition is only the latest in a series of recent developments for Dedrone, which include a major increase in demand for detection, tracking, identification, and mitigation technology to safeguard airspace around the world. The company’s platform and products, such as DedronePortable, see use by governments worldwide.

“The ever-increasing threats to airspace make it clear that the world needs a strong counterdrone C2 platform — point solutions will no longer be enough. Dedrone offers a like-minded team in its approach to the future of airspace security, which is why this acquisition is an important one for our 100+ customers and team to continue to deliver the best possible solution for airspace security against the persistent and escalating threat of drones,” said Aerial Armor CEO Russ Haugan. “Together, our strengths will continue to provide best-in-class service to the venues, airports, federal entities and law enforcement agencies that rely on us for truly secure airspace no matter the perimeter size.”

The company most recently unveiled its DedroneDefender, a handheld mitigation tool made for operation by law enforcement within even the most complex urban environments. Dedrone serves 40 countries, and its customers include four of the G-7 nation governments; nine U.S. federal agencies; over 75 critical infrastructure sites; more than 20 airports; and 50 prisons worldwide. Dedrone supplies counterdrone solutions for some of the most high-profile world events and works in close collaboration with over 35 law enforcement agencies.

Read more:

• Dedrone Funding: Oversubscribed $30 Million Series C Round for Airspace Security
• Dedrone and Carahsoft Partner to Make Dedrones CUAS Tech Available to Public Sector
• Axon Invests in Dedrone: Partnership Between Public Safety and Counter Drone Technologies
• Counter-drone Startup Dedrone Snags $12.1M Investment
• Counter Drone Company Dedrone Scores Investment, Partnership with General Dynamics Mission Systems

Ian attended Dominican University of California, where he received a BA in English in 2019. With a lifelong passion for writing and storytelling and a keen interest in technology, he is now contributing to DroneLife as a staff writer.