Dedrone, one of the biggest names in the counter-drone industry, is about to get even closer to the company known for inventing the Taser. In May 2024, Axon announced that it would acquire Dedrone for an undisclosed amount.
The acquisition, expected to be completed in the second half of 2024, marks a rather significant change for Axon. These days, most people know Axon best for its Taser guns and body cameras. Unfortunately, this move highlights how critically the broader public safety environment is thinking about drone security.
Dedrone has carved out a niche as a leading airspace security software provider. Their products have been touted as a way to protect critical infrastructure, government facilities, and major events around the world from drones that shouldn't exist. From securing the skies for the FIFA World Cup to protecting correctional facilities, Dedrone's technology detects, identifies and mitigates unauthorized drone threats.
What does this acquisition mean for Dedrone?
Partnering with a big name like Axon could definitely strengthen Dedrone's global reach. Axon boasts a well-established network across the public safety sector, and this expanded access could open doors for Dedrone's technology in new markets.
Axon founder and CEO Rick Smith said the company plans to leverage Dedrone's expertise to create “advanced end-to-end drone solutions that help keep good drones flying and bad drones not.”
Axon released a promotional video after the news broke. The video shows the similarities between the two companies. And it reveals other ways they could work together after the Dedrone acquisition deal is completed.
This potentially positions Axon as a one-stop shop for both drone deployment and airspace security for public safety agencies. After all, agencies like police departments already rely on Axon for other security products. These include Taser energy devices, body worn cameras, and vehicle cameras.
Now that Dedrone is part of Axon, drone technology can be more efficiently integrated into law enforcement and emergency response protocols, and Dedrone’s security solutions play a critical role in responsible drone use.
Axon is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. We also have offices in other cities around the world, including London, Amsterdam, and Sydney, as well as Seattle and Boston. Dedrone is primarily headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., with offices around the world, including in Germany and Qatar.
What does this acquisition mean for the counterdrone industry?
The financial terms of the deal for Axon to acquire Dedrone have not yet been disclosed, but the combination of Axon's resources and Dedrone's airspace security solutions points to future growth in the drone security and counter-drone industries. Innovation in anti-UAS technology is expected to accelerate with a focus on building a more sophisticated airspace management ecosystem.
“Dedrone’s growing presence across industries such as federal government, utilities and critical infrastructure, event venues, airports, correctional facilities and other enterprises, combined with Axon’s robust ecosystem of connected devices and software, allows us to ensure safety as well as security. You will be at the forefront. The security of not only our communities, but countries around the world is also important,” Dedrone CEO Aaditya Devarakonda said in a prepared statement.
Overall, it was a good year for Dedrone. Dedrone recorded 300% year-over-year revenue growth between February 2024 and February 2023. During this period, 16 new government contracts were awarded.
In particular, Dedrone is working with the Federal Aviation Administration to conduct test projects at several airports in the United States. This will allow the FAA to use Dedrone's products to study common airport response drone operations.
Recently, Dedrone earned the title of first drone-related company to receive SAFE status from the Department of Homeland Security. It was also named to The Time's list of Best Inventions of 2023.
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