UPDATED -- ZenaTech Develops Low-Cost, Single-Use Autonomous Interceptor Drone for ZenaDrone's Counter-UAS System for US Defense, Middle East, and Ukraine Use
MWN-AI** Summary
ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA), a pioneer in AI-driven drone technology and ancillary solutions, recently announced the development of a low-cost, single-use interceptor drone designed to enhance counter-drone capabilities for defense applications in the U.S., Middle East, and Ukraine. The Interceptor P-1, a prototype developed by ZenaTech's subsidiary ZenaDrone, is an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone designed to physically intercept hostile drones in flight, offering significant cost savings compared to traditional air defense systems like surface-to-air missiles.
As modern warfare increasingly incorporates inexpensive commercial and military drones, existing defense measures have struggled to adapt, often at inflated costs. The Interceptor P-1 aims to shift this dynamic by providing military and security forces with a scalable, affordable defense option for asymmetric warfare. ZenaTech's CEO, Shaun Passley, emphasized the urgency of addressing the escalating drone threat and revealed plans to integrate the Interceptor P-1 into a comprehensive counter-UAS ecosystem, which includes the ZenaDrone 2000 and the IQ Glider launch platform for versatile deployment options across various environments.
Targeting an initial prototype completion in the coming months, ZenaTech is poised to engage with defense customers, including allied governments and NATO partners, in pursuit of future procurement contracts. The booming global counter-UAS market, projected to exceed $10 billion by 2030, presents a substantial opportunity for ZenaTech as the company fortifies its position within this rapidly evolving sector. With ongoing advancements in autonomous unmanned systems and AI, ZenaTech is committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance security and operational effectiveness in defense contexts.
MWN-AI** Analysis
As ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) unveils its development of the Interceptor P-1 drone—an innovative, low-cost, single-use interceptor designed to counter hostile drones—the company positions itself strategically within the rapidly expanding counter-UAS market. With the global counter-UAS sector projected to surpass $10 billion by 2030, driven by escalating drone warfare requirements, ZenaTech is well-prepared to capitalize on this growing demand.
Investors should take note of several key factors when considering ZenaTech's stock. First, the company addresses a crucial need for affordable drone interception technologies in modern warfare. The Interceptor P-1 aims to provide military agencies with a cost-effective alternative to traditional defense mechanisms, potentially reshaping military procurement strategies in the face of evolving threats.
ZenaTech's integration of next-generation technologies—such as AI and quantum computing—enhances the scalability and operational effectiveness of their drones. The versatile deployment options, including launching from ground, vehicle, and maritime platforms, signify a comprehensive approach to addressing multifaceted defense requirements, particularly for allies such as NATO and GCC nations.
However, potential investors should also remain aware of inherent risks. The development stage of the Interceptor P-1 introduces typical execution risks, and the successful navigation of regulatory approvals is critical for future sales. Furthermore, competition within the drone sector is intensifying, with numerous players vying for market share in counter-UAS solutions.
In summary, while ZenaTech exhibits strong growth potential within the defense technology sector, investors should weigh the associated risks against the promising outlook. Keeping abreast of prototype development milestones and securing procurement contracts will be vital indicators of the company’s trajectory in the coming months. A cautious but optimistic investment strategy may yield favorable returns as this innovative solution comes closer to market readiness.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces that its ZenaDrone subsidiary has initiated development of a prototype for a small, one-way interceptor drone designed to stop hostile drones by physically intercepting them in flight. The prototype, called Interceptor P-1, is an autonomous and expendable vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)-design drone that can be added to the company’s counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) defense system offering dramatically lower costs than traditional air munitions.
The drone addresses a critical asymmetry in modern warfare. Adversaries routinely deploy low-cost commercial and military drones at scale, while conventional intercept solutions, including surface-to-air missiles and laser systems, carry costs that are orders of magnitude higher than the threats they defeat. The Interceptor P-1 prototype is being purpose-built to reverse this equation.
“The drone threat on modern battlefields is accelerating faster than legacy defense budgets can absorb. Our Interceptor P-1 is being developed to give military and security forces an affordable, scalable answer by creating an interceptor and anti-drone system for a new world of asymmetric warfare,” said Shaun Passley, PhD, ZenaTech CEO. “Our strategy is to offer defense customers a full-spectrum of counter-drone solutions based on persistent maritime patrol with the ZenaDrone 2000 and IQ Glider launch station. Our emerging technologies are also forming a comprehensive, layered, counter-UAS ecosystem for land, sea, and littoral environments with the expendable point-intercept capabilities of the Interceptor P-1. This is exactly the kind of integrated, cost-effective capability that modern defense procurement demands.”
With versatile launch options planned, including ground, vehicle, and maritime deployment via the company’s IQ Glider, maritime drone platform, the Interceptor P-1 is being built to respond rapidly across multiple environments. By offering scalable interception capabilities, it is designed to help defense forces protect critical infrastructure, manage enemy drone swarms, and complement existing air defense systems as a strategic addition to ZenaDrone counter-UAS platform.
The company is targeting an initial prototype completion in the upcoming months and will provide further updates on product development, regulatory milestones, and defense and government agency engagement and pilots as progress continues.
The global counter-UAS market is growing at over 25% per year, projected to exceed $10 billion by 2030 according to Markets and Markets, driven by intensifying drone warfare in multiple active theaters and the proliferation of commercially available drones repurposed for battlefield use. ZenaTech management believes the company is positioning the Interceptor P-1 for future procurement contract opportunities with allied governments, NATO partners, and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) defense customers.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a technology company specializing in AI drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions for mission-critical applications for business, government and defense. Since 2017, the Company has leveraged its software development expertise and grown its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone, to innovate and improve customer inspection, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes. With enterprise software customers using branded solutions in law enforcement, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus agriculture, defense, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive speed, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing its DaaS business and global network of locations through acquisitions.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures autonomous drone solutions that can incorporate machine learning software, AI, predictive modeling, Quantum Computing, and other software and hardware innovations. Created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector, its specialization has grown to multifunctional drone solutions for surveying, monitoring, inspection, tracking, process automation, and defense applications.
Currently, the ZenaDrone 1000 drone is used for crop management applications and critical field cargo applications in the defense sector, the IQ Nano indoor drone is used for inventory management and security in the warehouse and logistics sectors, the IQ Square is an outdoor drone designed for power washing and inspections use in commercial and government sectors, and the IQ Quad is for land surveys.
Contacts for more information:
Company, Investors, and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
Safe Harbor
This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square and IQ Nano; ZenaTech's ability to develop products for markets as currently contemplated; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and it’s needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech and other related risks ???and uncertainties disclosed under the ?heading “Risk Factors“ ????in the Company’s Form F-1, Form 20-F and other filings filed ???with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ???no obligation to update forward-?looking ????information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-???looking information represents ?????managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ???No forward-looking ????statement ?can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ???Accordingly, readers ????are advised not to ?place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ???information.?
FAQ**
How does ZenaTech Inc. ZENA plan to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of the Interceptor P-1 prototype in rapidly evolving drone warfare environments?
What specific partnerships or collaborations is ZenaTech Inc. ZENA pursuing with allied governments or NATO partners for potential procurement contracts for the Interceptor P-1?
In light of the projected $10 billion global counter-UAS market by 2030, how is ZenaTech Inc. ZENA positioning itself to capture significant market share amid increasing competition?
What regulatory challenges does ZenaTech Inc. ZENA anticipate in developing the Interceptor P-1, and how might these affect its timeline for prototype completion and market introduction?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about ZenaTech Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA).
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