IDF arms itself with AI-driven SMASH systems against cheap FPV drone attacks

Israeli defense companies are accelerating efforts to develop countermeasures against the growing threat of small, low-cost First Person View (FPV) drones being used in combat.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have faced increasing challenges along the northern border, where Hezbollah has adopted FPV drone tactics first widely used in the war in Ukraine. Originally designed for recreational use, the drones can be modified into weapons using commercially available parts and 3D-printing tools to attach explosive payloads such as grenades or RPG warheads.

According to recent reports, the IDF has already suffered casualties in FPV drone attacks in southern Lebanon over the past several weeks. Security analysts warn that the proliferation of such systems could extend beyond conventional battlefields, with terror groups and criminal networks potentially adopting similar tactics. Israel is considered particularly exposed due to its small geographic size and the proximity of major population centers to hostile borders.

Against this backdrop, Israeli defense company SMARTSHOOTER has signed a contract with the IDF to supply multiple units of its SMASH Hopper system, an AI-guided, lightweight remote-controlled weapon station designed to counter aerial and ground threats.

The deal is valued at approximately NIS 6.7 million ($1.8 million), with options for additional units and follows previous agreements to supply SMASH technology to the IDF and other allied militaries, including the United States Army.

The SMASH Hopper is the remote weapon station variant that combines low-altitude ground radar with fire control mechanisms and automatic firing to intercept incoming drones, similar to the way the Iron Dome shoots down incoming missiles and artillery shells.

The small, fast-moving FPV drones are difficult for a human operator to track and engage. However, the SMASH Hopper system has demonstrated successful performance in trials, and the IDF is preparing to deploy it operationally. The system is compact and portable, weighing approximately 15 kilograms (33 pounds), and can be mounted on tripods, fixed masts, light vehicles, and unmanned ground platforms. It is designed to protect fixed positions from both aerial and ground threats and is capable of operating continuously with limited human oversight.

“The remotely controlled SMASH Hopper system enables forces to engage ground and aerial threats with high precision, while keeping soldiers at a safe distance,” explained Michal Mor, founder and CEO of SMARTSHOOTER. “As drones and other rapidly evolving battlefield threats continue to challenge forces worldwide, SMASH systems are proving to be an effective operational solution for precise, controlled engagement of both ground and aerial threats.”

The SMASH Hopper systems ordered by the IDF this week are scheduled to be in the field and operational by the end of 2026.