MARSS’s INTERCEPTOR-MR Drone Defence System completes successful UK flight trials

Bristol-based defence technology company MARSS has announced that its latest medium-range counter-drone system, INTERCEPTOR-MR, has successfully completed flight testing in the UK.

The AI-enabled system, integrated with MARSS’s C4I NiDAR platform and controlled by its autonomous NiDAR EDGE software, has undergone significant hardware upgrades and enhancements to its targeting algorithms. The improvements mark what the company describes as a major leap forward in the maturity and accuracy of the platform.

Designed as a cost-effective and low-collateral alternative to short-range missiles, INTERCEPTOR-MR can engage drones at distances of more than 5km. Unlike conventional kinetic options, it contains no explosives or fuel, making it safer to operate in both military and civilian settings. In some cases, the system can be recovered and redeployed by returning to base or via parachute recovery.

Stephen Scott, Managing Director of MARSS Defence Labs, said: “This is a really exciting time in the evolution of our INTERCEPTOR-MR. As drone warfare continues to advance at pace, soft-kill activities, such as jamming, are becoming increasingly less effective, particularly against fibre-optic guided threats. The ability of INTERCEPTOR to provide a safe and cost-effective hard-kill solution against a range of targets, from FPVs to Shaheeds, is more relevant than ever.”

Interest in the system has grown internationally, with INTERCEPTOR-MR selected for evaluation by a NATO member state later this year. MARSS confirmed it is also working closely with several existing customers to adapt the technology to specific operational requirements, including the protection of critical infrastructure and national assets.

The growing demand has led to rapid expansion at MARSS’s UK base. The company has increased its workforce by 50% in recent months and expects to double that figure again within the next six months. Full production of the INTERCEPTOR-MR is planned to begin in 2026.

While the system’s hardware has been designed to allow for third-party manufacture overseas, MARSS emphasised that the UK will remain central to design, development and potential production for European customers.

Looking ahead, the company confirmed it is in discussions with prospective customers in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, North America and across NATO. Evaluation units are expected to be deployed ahead of anticipated procurement contracts in 2026.

MARSS will be showcasing INTERCEPTOR-MR alongside its NiDAR platform at DSEI UK 2025, taking place from the 9th to the 12th September at the ExCeL in London.