Axon Enterprise, a Taser manufacturer headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, has reached a significant milestone by acquiring Dedrone, a Sterling-based company that specializes in the production of drone-jamming and detection devices.
The companies announced on Monday that the transaction is scheduled to close in the latter half of 2024, with no details disclosed about the terms of the deal.
Dedrone’s portable gunlike drone jammer can thwart aerial drones by disrupting communications links with targeted radio pulses. The company has worked with police departments, the U.S. Army and other military and commercial clients. Dedrone has partnered with the Ukrainian government to provide nearly 300 sensors capable of identifying and detecting radio signatures of nearly 250 different models of drones, according to Dedrone’s website. It has also sent riflelike devices to Ukraine that have been used to jam Russian drones, according to The New York Times.
Through the utilization of AI and machine learning, Dedrone offers a continuous and independent means of interrogating and verifying drones. Its sophisticated devices are capable of detecting and deterring unauthorized drones in various settings, including military bases, airports, and public events.
Formerly known as Taser International, Axon is best known for its Taser devices, body cameras, in-car cameras, and cloud-based digital evidence management platforms. The company serves first responders, including local, state, and federal law enforcement officers.
As per the news release issued by the companies, Dedrone's acquisition will strengthen Axon's capability to help customers safeguard their communities, enhance response to critical incidents, and protect lives in more locations.
Axon founder and CEO Rick Smith announced the company's plan to revolutionize public safety by integrating Axon's 30-year legacy of innovation with Dedrone's cutting-edge airspace security solutions. Smith emphasized the joint efforts to expedite the advancement of a more sophisticated end-to-end drone solution that enables the operation of beneficial drones and prevents the operation of harmful ones.
The rebranding of Taser International to Axon took place in 2017. Axon's revenue surged by 34% in the first quarter of 2024, with recurring revenue reaching $825 million.
According to Dedrone CEO Aaditya Devarakonda, Dedrone's influence is growing across industries such as federal governments, utilities, critical infrastructure, event venues, airports, correctional facilities, and other enterprises. With Axon's extensive ecosystem of connected devices and software, we are at the forefront of guaranteeing the safety of our communities and the security of nations globally.