Profile
- Type
- Counter-drone interceptor system
- Conflict side
- United States
- Origin
- United States
- Service note
- 2020s-present
Air Defense
Merops counter-drone interceptor
Merops is a U.S.-developed mobile counter-drone interceptor from Perennial Autonomy that launches small autonomous drones from a truck-mounted system. Combat-tested in Ukraine and rapidly fielded to the Middle East as the United States-Iran Conflict escalated, it gave U.S. forces a lower-cost way to counter Iranian drones.
- Conflict side
- United States
- Built by
- Perennial Autonomy
- Built in
- United States
Service History
- Used by
- United States Army
- Wars
- United States-Iran Conflict
Production History
- Built by
- Perennial Autonomy
- Built in
- United States
Specifications
- Transport
- Small enough to fit in the back of a midsize pickup truck
- Launch method
- Truck-mounted launcher for small interceptor drones
- Guidance
- Uses AI navigation when satellite and electronic communications are jammed
- Mission
- Low-cost short-range counter-UAS defense
Conflict Usage
- United States-Iran Conflict
- Side: United StatesRole: Expeditionary counter-drone defense
Army and AP reporting said Merops was rapidly deployed to the Middle East and fielded by U.S. forces to counter Iranian drones as the United States-Iran Conflict escalated.
Merops counter-drone interceptor Images
Related Weapon Systems
Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAMLand-based close-in weapon systemCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system (C-RAM), also known as the land-based Phalanx Weapon System, is a U.S. fixed-site air-defense suite built around a 20 mm rapid-fire gun, sensors, and fire control to intercept rockets, mortars, and small drones. In the United States-Iran Conflict, U.S. forces used it around Baghdad to defend a diplomatic facility against drone and rocket attacks.
Coyote counter-UAS interceptor / droneCounter-UAS interceptor droneThe Coyote is a combat-proven, rail-launched counter-UAS effector from RTX/Raytheon. In the United States-Iran Conflict, U.S. forces used it to help defend Gulf air bases against short-range drone attacks, while the family continues to evolve into launched-effects variants.
Mesbah 123 mm anti-aircraft gun systemMesbah 1 is an Iranian short-range anti-aircraft gun system built around 23 mm autocannons, radar, and optical guidance for low-altitude threats. Open reporting describes it as part of Iran's gun-based air-defense layer against cruise missiles, helicopters, and drones, with production starting in 2010.
Mutabar-1 improvised air-defense systemImprovised short-range air-defense systemThe Mutabar-1 is Hamas's locally manufactured improvised air-defense system, publicly revealed in October 2023 and associated with attempts to engage low-flying Israeli aircraft and drones during the Israel-Hamas War.
Stunner interceptorMissile interceptorThe Stunner interceptor is the hit-to-kill missile used by David's Sling, Israel's medium-range air-defense layer co-developed by Rafael and Raytheon. During the Israel-Hamas War, the IDF said David's Sling used the system to intercept a surface-to-air missile fired toward an Israeli Air Force UAV operating in Lebanon, underscoring its role in layered air defense against rockets, missiles, and drones.
AN/TPQ-53 multimission radarMobile multimission counterfire and air-surveillance radarThe AN/TPQ-53 is a Lockheed Martin mobile active electronically scanned array radar originally fielded for counterfire target acquisition and later adapted for multimission sensing. In the United States-Iran Conflict, reporting on Operation Epic Fury credited the radar with ground-based tracking of rockets, missiles, and unmanned systems inside joint sensor networks.Sources
Perennial Autonomy IDIQ contract announcementPublisher: Perennial Autonomy | Note: Supports Merops manufacturer background and the company's description of Merops interceptors as AI-driven defensive systems. | Accessed: 2026-06-20Army G-TEAD Merops fielding articlePublisher: U.S. Army | Note: Supports Merops background and United States-Iran Conflict direct-use reporting: Merops was rapidly deployed to the Middle East and fielded by U.S. forces as conflict with Iran escalated. | Accessed: 2026-06-20AP Merops Middle East deploymentPublisher: Associated Press | Note: Supports Merops specifications and United States-Iran Conflict direct-use reporting: AP said Merops was deployed to the Middle East to bolster U.S. defenses against Iranian drones, with operational systems already in theater. | Accessed: 2026-06-20DVIDS MEROPS T3 photo 9395258Publisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Public-domain image provenance for a MEROPS T3 training photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20DVIDS MEROPS T3 photo 9394944Publisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Public-domain image provenance for a MEROPS T3 training photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20DVIDS MEROPS T3 photo 9394948Publisher: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service | Note: Public-domain image provenance for a MEROPS T3 training photo used in the gallery. | Accessed: 2026-06-20