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# U.S. Air Force placed a limited purchase order for the Guardian Rotary-Wing Interceptor
- URL: https://www.warfaredecoded.com/u-s-air-force-placed-a-limited-purchase-order-for-the-guardian-rotary-wing-interceptor/
- Published: 2026-07-29T18:30:01.000Z
- Updated: 2026-07-29T18:30:12.000Z
- Author: Kevin Macmellon

## 

Powerus, a Florida-based autonomous systems company founded by former U.S. Army Special Operations veterans, says its **Guardian** rotary-wing interceptor has achieved **thousands of successful field intercepts** against hostile Group 3 unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The company positions the Guardian as a low-cost kinetic counter-drone solution designed to defeat threats such as the Iranian-designed **Shahed-136** and **Geran-2** attack drones.

**Guardian Drone Claimed to Achieve Thousands of Drone Intercepts as U.S. Air Force Places Limited Order**

The Guardian was developed to address one of the biggest challenges in modern air defense: the high cost of intercepting inexpensive drones with traditional missile systems. According to Powerus, conventional interceptors can cost hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars per engagement, while many one-way attack drones cost only a fraction of that amount. The Guardian aims to reverse that cost equation by providing an affordable, rapidly deployable interceptor for frontline forces.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1e/44/1e448b0d-1e44-4bbb-bad8-c4da165a2995/content/images/2026/07/Guardian-Rotary-Wing-Drone-interceptor-Flying-in-the-Sky-1.png)

Guardian Rotary-Wing Drone Interceptor Flying During Tactical Counter-UAS Operations

The lightweight interceptor features a reinforced carbon-fiber airframe and is capable of speeds between **290 and 340 km/h (180–211 mph)**, enabling it to pursue and destroy fast-moving aerial threats. It was demonstrated during operational exercises at the **National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California**, where U.S. service members evaluated the system against simulated drone threats.

Following a successful demonstration, the **U.S. Air Force** placed a **limited purchase order** for the Guardian system. While the order is not a full-rate production contract, it represents the first confirmed U.S. government procurement of the platform and marks an important step toward operational adoption for expeditionary counter-UAS missions.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1e/44/1e448b0d-1e44-4bbb-bad8-c4da165a2995/content/images/2026/07/Military-Personaal-used-Rotary-Wing-Drone-interceptor.png)

****Guardian Rotary-Wing Drone Interceptor During Simulated Combat Operations with Military Personnel**

Although Powerus states that Guardian has recorded **thousands of successful intercepts**, those figures have **not been independently verified** through publicly available operational records. The company's claims nevertheless highlight growing interest in affordable kinetic counter-drone systems as militaries seek scalable defenses against the expanding threat posed by mass-produced unmanned aircraft.

Author: Kevin Macmellon