San Francisco-based defence startup Mara has raised $7 million to develop and commercialise Spike, a counter-drone system designed to intercept small first-person-view attack drones. The company says the portable and scalable system could help protect troops, vehicles and bases from the inexpensive explosive-carrying drones that have become a major source of battlefield casualties in Ukraine.

Spike combines Spotter detection units with Seeker kinetic interceptors, which weigh 250g, travel at up to 200km/h and are launched from tubes using onboard guidance. Mara says a launcher can carry 48 interceptors and reload in under a minute, while the sensor system uses optical, acoustic and optional radar capabilities; it has also been tested with US Army systems and used by Ukrainian forces near the front line. Khosla Ventures led the funding round, though Mara has not disclosed the interceptors’ range or unit cost.