Overview
- Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll told Congress the service bought about 13,000 Merops interceptor drones within eight days.
- Thousands have gone to U.S. forces in the Middle East to stop Iranian Shahed-136 one-way attack drones.
- Each interceptor costs about $15,000, which is roughly one-tenth the price of Raytheon’s Coyote interceptors.
- Driscoll said acquisition reforms replaced a 16-step approval chain and enabled the rapid purchase.
- Officials credit the system with protecting personnel and equipment, though they have not released engagement counts or full technical details.