Israeli defense-tech firm Smart Shooter lands major US Army deal

Smart Shooter, an Israeli innovator in defense technology, has clinched a $10.7 million contract from the US Army to provide its advanced AI-driven SMASH fire control systems, the company revealed this week. This agreement arms American forces with precise "one-shot, one-hit" capabilities optimized to counter drone threats.

The timing aligns with heightened military focus on shielding troops from inexpensive, small drones proliferating on battlefields. By embedding artificial intelligence and computer vision into rifle-mounted sights, the SMASH platform empowers standard infantry to acquire locks and eliminate rapid aerial targets with ease, as outlined in company disclosures.

CEO Michal Mor emphasized in the announcement: "As drone threats advance in scale, accessibility, and intricacy, armed forces demand reliable, combat-proven solutions that deploy swiftly and excel in frontline operations."

The new pact expands on a prior $13.4 million agreement in May 2025 with the US Army through the Department of Defense's key task force, JIATF-40. Smart Shooter anticipates SMASH system deliveries in the third quarter of 2026.

"Our commitment endures to equip the US military with robust technologies that elevate accuracy, troop safety, and operational impact," Mor continued.

Israeli defense-tech industry gains momentum

This US Department of Defense contract underscores fresh triumphs for Israel's burgeoning defense technology landscape.

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's latest arms trade analysis, covering 2021 to 2025, ranks Israel ahead of the UK as the seventh-largest global exporter of arms and defense systems.

Over the past decade, Israel's defense exports have surged steadily. They reached $14.7 billion in 2024, reflecting a 72% rise from $8.55 billion in 2020, per Israeli Defense Ministry figures.