NUBURU, Inc., a dual-use defence and security platform company specialising in directed-energy technologies, electronic warfare and software-driven systems, has announced that its subsidiary Lyocon S.r.l. has secured an initial deployment order for a portable laser dazzler designed for counter-drone operations.
The order, valued at approximately $250,000, comes from a government-owned defence electronics organisation in a major Asia-Pacific market operating within a centralised procurement framework. It marks the transition from system validation to early-stage operational deployment following a multi-phase evaluation process that included prototype trials, production-level testing and performance verification.
Counter-drone capabilities have become a growing priority for defence agencies worldwide as low-cost unmanned aerial systems proliferate across both military and civilian environments. This has driven demand for scalable, non-kinetic solutions capable of responding in real time without relying on kinetic interceptors.
Lyocon’s system is designed as a portable, rifle-mounted directed-energy solution that uses multi-wavelength laser output to disrupt drone sensors and degrade electro-optical and infrared payloads. With scalable power levels ranging from 1W to 10W, adjustable beam divergence and precision targeting, the system is intended for rapid deployment in field conditions, supporting tactical perimeter defence and protection of critical assets.
Representational image of a laser weapon
The customer organisation plays a central role in national defence infrastructure, overseeing the integration and deployment of mission-critical systems across domains such as electronic warfare, communications and command-and-control. NUBURU believes this engagement provides a strategic entry point into a broader defence ecosystem with potential for repeat procurement and wider deployment.
Discussions are already underway for a potential second phase of the programme, which could include expanded deployments, additional system configurations and increased production volumes. This follow-on opportunity is estimated to be worth between $575,000 and $800,000, with possible contract finalisation in 2026 and deliveries in 2027.
The Lyocon system has been engineered for modularity and scalability, enabling integration into layered counter-UAS architectures alongside other detection and electronic warfare systems. NUBURU expects production efficiencies and higher volumes to improve margins over time.
With the global counter-UAS market projected to exceed $20 billion by 2030, portable non-kinetic systems such as laser dazzlers are emerging as a critical capability for military, homeland security and infrastructure protection.
Company executives said the deployment validates the technology’s real-world effectiveness and supports NUBURU’s broader strategy to expand its presence in the global counter-drone market through scalable, directed-energy solutions.
Source: Nuburu