The DefendAir counter-drone system achieved a perfect 100 percent interception rate in its first U.S. demonstration.
ParaZero Technologies conducted the two-hour live-fire event in Tampa, Florida, on May 21, 2026, immediately after SOF Week 2026 ended. The demonstration involved repeated intercepts of fast incoming FPV drones across varied scenarios. Every target was neutralized without exception.
Attendees included representatives from Tier-1 defense integrators, European special forces units, U.S. law enforcement agencies, and domestic distributors. Observers watched the net launcher engage multiple drones traveling at high speeds in realistic flight profiles.
The demonstration occurred in an open area near Tampa suitable for controlled drone intercepts. Operators deployed the DefendAir net launcher repeatedly as drones approached from different vectors and altitudes. All engagements ended with successful captures. Law enforcement and corrections personnel present examined the launcher’s deployment speed, range, and reload cycle. Several agencies noted the relevance of the technology for protecting critical infrastructure and detention facilities from unauthorized drone incursions.
SOF Week 2026, held May 18-21 in Tampa, served as the immediate precursor. Many attendees extended their stay specifically to observe the DefendAir test the following day. The event marked the first time the system had been shown in a live U.S. setting to this audience. Additional test runs covered night operations and adverse weather simulations to further validate system reliability under diverse conditions.
GlobeNewswire distributed the official announcement on May 21, 2026. NewsRamp_Alerts later amplified the results to defense and security professionals on May 25. Follow-up briefings emphasized integration potential with existing perimeter security networks used by municipal agencies.
ParaZero Technologies Ltd. issued the statement through its official channels following the event. The company highlighted the system’s consistent performance under live conditions against FPV threats that have become common in contemporary security environments. Expanded testing protocols included rapid reload drills that demonstrated sub-30-second turnaround times between successive launches.
“Live DefendAir’s demonstration in Tampa, Florida showcased the ability to intercept fast incoming FPV drones, achieving a 100% success rate in multiple scenarios,” said Avi Cohen, CEO of ParaZero Technologies Ltd.
