The US Army has accelerated its deployment of cost-effective interceptor drones to counter Iranian Shahed drones, a key threat in ongoing Middle East conflicts. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll revealed that the Pentagon purchased 13,000 interceptor drones for its Merops system within just eight days following the launch of Operation Epic Fury.
The interceptor drones, priced at $15,000 each, offer a significant cost advantage over the $30,000 to $50,000 Shahed drones they are designed to neutralize. Driscoll emphasized that scaling production could reduce the cost per interceptor to below $10,000, potentially even reaching $3,000 in the future.
Merops: A Game-Changer in Counter-Drone Warfare
Developed under Project Eagle, the Merops system launches a small interceptor called the Surveyor, which uses artificial intelligence and off-the-shelf Xbox controllers for operation. Capable of flying over 175 mph, the Surveyor can be deployed from ground stations or mobile platforms like pickup trucks, making it highly adaptable to battlefield conditions.
"We think as they scale, they'll get to less than [$10,000], and we're able to take Shaheds down that cost $30,000 to $50,000," Driscoll said. "It puts us on the right end of the cost curve."
The Merops system, first deployed in Ukraine where it intercepted over 1,000 Shahed-type drones, has now been sent to the Middle East to protect US and allied forces. The Army has surged dozens of Merops complexes and at least 1,000 interceptors to the region, marking a strategic shift toward low-cost, high-efficiency air defense solutions.
This move comes as global interest in interceptor drones grows, driven by their proven success in Ukraine and the escalating drone threat from Iran and its proxies. The Pentagon’s focus on affordability and scalability underscores its commitment to maintaining American technological and tactical superiority in modern warfare.