IDF expands deployment of AI-powered SMASH Hopper defense systems

The Israel Defense Forces is expanding its use of artificial intelligence-powered defense systems with a new procurement of the SMASH Hopper, a lightweight, remote-controlled weapon station from the Israeli defense technology company Smart Shooter.

The purchase, announced this week, includes an additional NIS 7.4 million ($2.5 million) worth of spare parts and related services.

The acquisition will enable the SMASH Hopper system, versions of which have been used by the IDF for several years, to be mounted on dozens of additional platforms across the country.

The move reflects the military's growing reliance on AI in modern warfare.

AI was used extensively during the recent conflict with Iran and is increasingly incorporating AI-enabled solutions into the defensive systems used to protect Israeli communities and military forces from missiles, rockets and drones.

The SMASH Hopper allows operators to engage incoming threats from protected positions using AI-assisted targeting technology. The system is designed to improve the effectiveness of defensive measures while reducing risks to personnel.

The expanded deployment is particularly relevant in northern Israel, where Hezbollah has employed FPV drones against IDF troops and continues to pose a drone threat to communities near the border. Similar concerns have driven growing interest in counter-drone systems throughout Israel.

According to a company statement, the “SMASH Hopper is a modular remote-controlled weapon station designed for rapid deployment on tripods, fixed masts, light vehicles, robots, and unmanned ground platforms, and it applies AI-based image processing to help the operator detect, track, and engage both ground targets and aerial threats including small drones.”

Weighing approximately 15 kilograms (33 pounds), the system is designed to integrate with existing defensive weapons and equipment.

Its relatively lightweight and modular design has made it part of a growing class of counter-drone solutions being adopted by militaries worldwide as small unmanned aerial systems become increasingly common on battlefields from Ukraine to Lebanon.

“The Israeli Ministry of Defense’s decision to expand its procurement of Smart Shooter systems reflects continued confidence in their operational value,” said Michal Mor, CEO of Smart Shooter.

"Our systems, which can be operated either as standalone systems or as part of a layered defense architecture, are designed to address a range of battlefield threats for both maneuvering and defensive forces. We view this contract as an important step in further strengthening and expanding our cooperation with the IDF,” he continued.

Smart Shooter is also expanding its international customer base and has secured contracts to supply its systems to several allied militaries, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany, as well as other NATO and partner countries.

Founded in 2011, Smart Shooter employs approximately 100 people, primarily at its headquarters in Kibbutz Yagur in northern Israel.

According to its website, the company “develops state-of-the-art Fire Control Systems for small arms that significantly increase weapon accuracy” against both static and moving targets. It says its SMASH product line provides “'One Shot – One Hit' precision” to improve operational effectiveness while reducing unintended harm. Smart Shooter also states that its technology is “Based on Artificial Intelligence, Computer Vision and Machine Learning technologies” and can connect with other operational resources to provide “real-time situational awareness.”