U.S. defense company X-Bow Systems unveiled its new Buckler interceptor at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, introducing a supersonic weapon designed to defeat Group 3 unmanned aerial systems. The announcement highlights growing efforts to strengthen layered air defenses against increasingly capable drone threats facing U.S. forces and allied infrastructure. Buckler is designed to engage Group 3 drones at supersonic speeds, providing an additional layer of protection for military bases, critical infrastructure, and other strategic assets targeted by unmanned aircraft. X-Bow Systems said the interceptor has already completed a flight demonstration and that its airframe, solid rocket motor, and propellant are all manufactured in-house, underscoring the company's vertically integrated production approach. Read more.
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| Buckler is designed to counter Group 3 unmanned aerial systems, a U.S. military classification covering aircraft weighing up to approximately 600 kilograms (Picture source: X-Bow) |