DroneShield doubles US workforce, boosts AI to meet defence demand

DroneShield has announced a significant expansion of its United States research and development operations, including substantial growth in workforce and facilities.

The company will more than double its U.S. workforce and add a second location to its headquarters in Virginia. Over 30% of the new positions will focus on software development, with a particular emphasis on strengthening DroneShield's capabilities in artificial intelligence. The expansion is intended to accelerate development cycles for the company's counter-drone technology and enable closer engagement with the U.S. Department of Defence.

This initiative follows recent expansions of production facilities in Australia and the establishment of a new office in the European Union. DroneShield has stated that these strategic investments reflect its agenda to broaden its international footprint and develop a stronger physical presence in markets close to its customers.

Doubling the commitment

Matt McCrann, CEO of DroneShield LLC, commented on the expansion, highlighting the company's focus on meeting the needs of the U.S. defence sector. He stated:

"As we continue to scale our operations globally, this expansion in the U.S. plays a crucial role in enhancing our ability to innovate and deliver advanced solutions for the evolving defense industrial base right here in the U.S. We're investing in the future of defense, and our growing footprint and impact in the U.S. market directly supports that effort."

The expansion of U.S. facilities is aimed at both accelerating the delivery of new products and enhancing the company's responsiveness to customer demand across defence, critical infrastructure, and civilian sectors.

Tom Branstetter, Vice President of Sales and Business Development at DroneShield LLC, said:

"We're not just expanding our operations, we're doubling down on our commitment to providing best-in-class counter-drone solutions. This investment enables us to be more responsive to the growing needs of our U.S. customers across the various sectors we serve."

Focusing on next-generation technology

The company's emphasis on artificial intelligence and software development reflects a broader industry trend towards the use of smarter and more adaptive defence technologies. The additional personnel and resources are expected to strengthen DroneShield's ability to support U.S. Department of Defence programmes and respond to market requirements with greater agility.

Angus Bean, Chief Product and Technology Officer at DroneShield, commented:

"Expanding our U.S. technology team strengthens our ability to support critical programs and deliver advanced solutions with greater speed and precision. This investment ensures end users benefit from responsive, real-time support and the depth of expertise required for mission success."

Responding to industry demand

DroneShield's growth in the U.S. is linked to a broader increase in demand for counter-UxS (Uncrewed Systems) technology, across both governmental and civilian sectors. The company says its expanded facilities and bolstered R&D team will help address the evolving security landscape, as well as the immediate requirements of its expanding customer base.

Planning includes both continued research and development initiatives and upcoming production expansion in the U.S. market. According to the company, these measures will support fast-paced acquisition strategies within the U.S. defence sector, particularly for counter-drone solutions where response times and adaptation are critical.

Global strategy

The U.S. development forms part of a coordinated global expansion, mirroring investments made in Australia and the European Union. This approach is designed to ensure DroneShield is strategically positioned close to key markets and to maintain the company's ability to address the needs of an interconnected and rapidly evolving world.

The company maintains its commitment to adapting to the growth of the counter-drone industry and to supporting clients across multiple sectors by focusing on both technological advancement and physical presence in growth markets.