Merops Interceptor
[commercial]aerial · drones · 3 deployments in catalog
Manufacturer
Perennial AutonomyForm Factor
aerial
Lifecycle
commercial
Operational Reality
Audited
Deployments
3
Target Price
Custom Quote
- AERIAL
- COMMERCIAL
Description
Perennial Autonomy is a defense technology company developing AI-enabled counter-drone systems, originally launched by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt as Project Eagle (formerly White Stork). Best known for the Merops interceptor drone, which has downed over 4,000 Russian Shahed drones in Ukraine since mid-2024, the company also produces the Bumblebee quadcopter and Hornet midrange strike drone. Its systems are deployed by U.S. forces in CENTCOM and by Ukrainian, Polish, and Lithuanian militaries.
Key facts & specs
- website
- https://www.defensenews.com/industry/techwatch/2026/05/19/pentagon-inks-500-million-deal-with-perennial-autonomy-for-counter-drone-tech/
- maturity
- commercial
- lifecycle
- active
- form factor
- aerial
- manufacturer
- Perennial Autonomy
- deployments count
- 3
- Maturity stage
- commercial
- Max speed
- 205 km/h
- Weight kg
- 330
- Founder
- Eric Schmidt (former Google CEO)
- Pentagon contract
- $500M IDIQ (May 2026, 3-year)
- Combat record
- 4,000+ drones intercepted in Ukraine
- Unit cost
- approximately $15,000 per Merops interceptor
- Product family
- Merops (interceptor), Bumblebee (quadcopter), Hornet (strike drone)
- Also known as
- Project Eagle, White Stork
- C E O
- Mike Wior
- Former names
- White Stork (2023), Project Eagle (2024)
- Key contract
- $500M JIATF-401 IDIQ (May 2026)
- Merops unit cost
- ~$15,000 per interceptor
- Bumblebee delivered
- tens of thousands to Ukrainian Armed Forces
Safety record
No incidents on record for Merops Interceptor.
FAQ
What is Merops Interceptor?
Perennial Autonomy is a defense technology company developing AI-enabled counter-drone systems, originally launched by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt as Project Eagle (formerly White Stork). Best known for the Merops interceptor drone, which has downed over 4,000 Russian Shahed drones in Ukraine since mid-2024, the company also produces the Bumblebee quadcopter and Hornet midrange strike drone. Its systems are deployed by U.S. forces in CENTCOM and by Ukrainian, Polish, and Lithuanian militaries.
Is Merops Interceptor actually deployed in the real world?
Yes. Merops Interceptor is independently verified in real-world operation on the DEPLOY registry, confirmed at named deployment sites with primary sources: not a concept, render, or demo-only.
What are the specs of Merops Interceptor?
Merops Interceptor's recorded specifications on the DEPLOY registry: Max speed: 205 km/h; Weight: 330 kg. See the Specs section for the full sourced set.
Who makes Merops Interceptor?
Merops Interceptor is made by Perennial Autonomy, based in California, USA, founded in 2023.
Where is Merops Interceptor deployed?
3 verified deployments of Merops Interceptor are on the DEPLOY registry, including at Lithuania, U.S. Central Command (Middle East), Ukraine.
Can you buy Merops Interceptor?
Merops Interceptor is in commercial deployment and is sold to operators; contact the manufacturer to buy, and see the pricing section for any recorded price.
What are alternatives to Merops Interceptor?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable aerial robots to Merops Interceptor include Wing Delivery Aircraft, Skydio X10, Zipline Platform 2 (P2), Prime Air MK30.
How does Merops Interceptor compare to Wing Delivery Aircraft?
Merops Interceptor and Wing Delivery Aircraft (Wing · 35 deployments) are both aerial robots on the DEPLOY registry. Merops Interceptor has 3 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Merops Interceptor a top aerial?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Merops Interceptor ranks in roughly the top 29% of aerial models tracked by the registry.
What is Merops Interceptor's maturity stage?
Merops Interceptor is at the commercial stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Commercial stage means production-grade deployments are operating at named customer sites.
Is Merops Interceptor safe?
Merops Interceptor has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.
What is the Merops drone interceptor?
The Merops is an AI-powered autonomous counter-drone interceptor developed by Perennial Autonomy. It has intercepted over 4,000 Russian drones in Ukraine, using AI to autonomously seek and detonate near targets. Costing approximately $15,000 per shot, it is being manufactured in Germany through a deal with TwentyFour Industries. NATO nations are purchasing the system.