Mach Industries has unveiled Dart, a next-generation counter-drone system designed to defeat Group 1–3 unmanned aerial threats, ranging from individual quadcopters to coordinated drone swarms. Developed by the California-based defense technology firm, the scalable surface-to-air defense solution addresses the growing challenge posed by low-cost, high-volume UAS in modern conflicts.
Dart integrates custom-built ground radar systems with dedicated interceptors, enabling early detection, tracking, and neutralization of hostile drones as they approach protected areas. The system is highly adaptable and can be deployed on mobile launch stations, military vehicles, or fixed installations. Operators can field a single unit for localized defense or scale up to hundreds of interconnected systems to counter large-scale swarm attacks.
A network of integrated sensors and autonomous targeting software allows Dart to cue interceptors with minimal human involvement, significantly reducing response times. According to Mach Industries, a key design objective was to ensure that intercept costs remain lower than the value of incoming threats, a persistent challenge in counter-UAS operations dominated by inexpensive drones.
The system’s modular architecture allows for rapid upgrades as new aerial threats emerge and supports mass production at unprecedented scale. Dart is manufactured within Mach Industries’ Forge ecosystem, which consolidates design, prototyping, and production under one roof. This vertically integrated approach enables fast iteration, lowers costs, and reduces exposure to fragile supply chains. The company expects Dart to enter operational service later this year.
