Smart Shooter, the Israeli developer and manufacturer of fire-control systems, announced on September 30, 2026 that the company had been awarded an IDIQ contract (Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity – contract with indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity) by the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401) of the U.S. Department of Defense, with a duration of 36 months and a maximum contract value of up to $150 million.
Under this agreement, Smart Shooter is the sole supplier of the contract’s SMASH fire-control systems as well as the associated training and services. The U.S. Department of Defense announced the award on September 29. JIATF-401 coordinates counter-UAS measures within the U.S. military as well as between different federal agencies, and works with government and industry partners to respond to evolving threats posed by drones.
Domestic Shield Program
The contract supports JIATF-401’s “Domestic Shield” program as well as related global deployment missions and covers requirements in the areas of troop protection, base defense, and counter-UAS both in the United States and abroad. The scope includes hardware, software and updates, training, as well as support services. The quantity, scope and timing of future deliveries will be determined through individual delivery orders.
The lightweight SMASH fire-control systems from Smart Shooter, which are mounted directly on rifles, combine artificial intelligence, computer vision, and advanced target-tracking algorithms. They detect the target, compute the firing solution, and synchronize the shot release with the weapon’s precise alignment. This gives the individual soldier, via his standard service weapon, a precise kinetic capability for drone defense while preserving normal operational effectiveness against ground targets. The decision to engage a target remains with the operator. The system can also be networked with external sensors and battle-management systems.
SMASH in Service with Numerous US and Allied Forces
The agreement builds on an earlier contract with JIATF-401 announced in March 2026 as well as a series of new and follow-on orders that the company has received in the past year to support the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Thousands of SMASH systems are already in use by the U.S. armed forces. The SMASH product family includes fire-control systems that are deployed not only in the United States but also in Israel, the United Kingdom, Germany (S&T reported), and other NATO and partner nations.
“With Domestic Shield, the goal is to give frontline forces the means to stop small, fast-flying drones before they threaten troops, bases, and critical facilities,” said Michal Mor, CEO and co-founder of Smart Shooter. “This contract—and the framework it creates for future orders valued at up to $150 million—marks a significant milestone in expanding our activities on the U.S. defense market.”
Countering Drones and Other Sudden Threats
“JIATF-401 continues to work closely with industry partners to provide the capabilities required to counter drones in order to defend personnel and facilities,” explained Brigadier General Matt Ross of the U.S. Army, head of JIATF-401. “Our approach enables us to identify the right solutions for specific operational requirements and deliver them rapidly to the forces.”
The fire-control systems are intended primarily to provide a defense against drones. However, the system can be used not only against drones but is also designed to offer advantages against all sudden and rapidly appearing targets. For example, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) reported after the Gaza operation that rapidly rising and falling targets—such as machine guns and snipers—could be detected and engaged more quickly and effectively.
