Australian defense company Electro Optic Systems (EOS) has signed an agreement to acquire Europe-based MARSS Group, a specialist in command-and-control (C2) software for counter-drone operations. The move significantly expands EOS’s capabilities in the rapidly growing counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) market.
The acquisition covers MARSS’ NiDAR C2 platform, along with related hardware, software, customer contracts, and intellectual property. By integrating NiDAR with its existing portfolio of sensors, remote weapon systems, and effectors, EOS aims to deliver fully integrated counter-drone solutions spanning detection, identification, decision-making, and threat neutralization.
EOS plans to embed NiDAR into its remote weapon systems to enable mesh-networked, fleet-wide hemispheric coverage against drone threats. The integration is expected to enhance the company’s in-house artificial intelligence and software capabilities, allowing multiple sensors and effectors to operate as a coordinated system rather than standalone components.
According to EOS, the acquisition also broadens its geographic footprint and expands operations across military, homeland security, and civil infrastructure markets. The company said the deal strengthens its ability to compete as a prime contractor on large-scale programs, including turnkey counter-drone solutions for critical infrastructure such as airports, power stations, and government facilities.
MARSS noted that the combined entity will be better positioned to support customers globally as drone threats continue to evolve. NiDAR functions as the central C2 node within counter-UAS architectures, integrating sensors, unmanned systems, and effectors without replacing existing equipment.
Designed for high-intensity and complex scenarios, including coordinated drone swarms, NiDAR can operate in autonomous modes to execute predefined responses when human reaction times are insufficient. This software-defined approach enables coordinated, multi-domain defense against increasingly asymmetric drone threats.
