ASX-listed developer of counter-drone technology Department 13 (D13) has entered into a partnership with Raytheon to develop new counter-drone technologies and capabilities.
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The partnership will see Raytheon and D13 work to market and support D13's product MESMER, which is a patented, low-power, non-jamming, non-line-of-sight, non-kinetic, counter-drone solution. Once fully developed, MESMER will serve as a first line of defence against hostile drones, D13 said.
D13 chief executive Jonathan Hunter said the partnership with Raytheon, which generated $24 billion of sales in 2016, is a mammoth step forward for the company.
"This teaming agreement marks an important milestone as Raytheon is a global leader in developing unmanned system situational awareness, mission management and command and control systems," said Hunter.
The joint partnership between D13 and Raytheon comes after the US Defense Department identified commercial drones as threats to the safety and security of military installations.
"Commercial drones continue to be affordable, yet effective tools for our adversaries to target US and allied forces," said Bob Busey, program director for unmanned vehicle control systems at Raytheon Intelligence, Information and Services.
"We will work with D13 to bring unique counter-drone technologies to defend against these growing threats."
D13 was founded in 2010 doing research for the US Department of Defense and the Office of Secretary of State, and joined the ASX in 2016.