US-based Powerus has won a contract to deploy networked counter-UAS detection, tracking, classification and early-warning capabilities to support the protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure in the Middle East.

The contract is valued at $22.3 million.

Powerus will lead the deployment and support integration of the networked capability in phases in accordance with the customer’s operational requirements, the company said. 

The system will provide a unified operational picture through command and control capabilities located at the customer’s operations centre, allowing operators to identify, track and assess potential unmanned aerial threats across their operating environment.

The identity of the contracting customer, specific deployment locations, individual facilities and operational configurations are not being disclosed.

The initial deployment is focused on providing operators with early awareness of potential unmanned aerial threats and the information needed to make timely operational and safety decisions for their personnel. 

The system architecture is designed to support the further integration of Powerus’ Guardian interceptor technology, providing a pathway to expand the customer’s counter-UAS capabilities as operational requirements evolve.

The agreement reflects growing commercial demand globally for American counter-drone technology to protect critical energy infrastructure in complex operating environments. 

Middle East remains an important energy market for international operators and an area of significant commercial importance to U.S. oil and energy interests.

“This commercial contract reflects the direction we believe the counter-drone market is heading — toward integrated, networked protection of critical oil and gas infrastructure,” said Brett Velicovich, Co-founder and President of Powerus. “We are starting with the capabilities our customer needs today while providing an architecture that can expand as the threat and operational requirements evolve. Powerus is bringing U.S.-based engineering, manufacturing and technology to help protect the operations that power that infrastructure.”

The contract further expands Powerus’s commercial work with international energy operators and strengthens the company’s position in the growing market for counter-UAS protection of critical infrastructure, the company said. -TradeArabia News Service