Field Training and Support Engineer

Motorola Solutions to buy Israeli co D-Fend for $1.5b. Yoram Oron credit: Eyal Izhar 1 Jun, 2026 15:29 The Ra'anana-based startup, which has developed counter-drone technology, will become the most expensive-ever acquisition of an Israeli defense company. Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Israeli counter-drone technology company D-Fend Solutions for $1.5 billion cash. This is the biggest ever acquisition of an Israeli defense technology company. Motorola Solutions has been active in Israel since the 1960s and has hundreds of employees in Israel developing communication and liaison systems for the police, the army and security organizations. The Israeli acquisition will bring Motorola Solutions into the drone market in an activity that will continue to operate from D-Fend's headquarters in Raanana, with the startup's 250 employees to move to Motorola in exchange for tens of millions of dollars in bonuses and shares. D-Fend has developed a drone interception system that swiftly locates drones, takes control of them remotely using radio waves, and lands them safely in a place where they will not cause collateral damage. Despite the variety of potential military applications on the battlefields of Lebanon and Ukraine, the company's technology is mainly used for civilian facilities: airports, border stations, stadiums and strategic facilities that require special protection. D-Fend's system is especially popular at airports and even served as the main security system for the Super Bowl. Interest in the company has begun to grow not only due to the threat of drones in Ukraine and Lebanon, but also and mainly due to terrorist threats to facilities such as airports and stadiums, as well as due to the smuggling of weapons and drugs over borders into Western countries, which are increasingly carried out by drones - an issue that is being addressed by police and border patrol forces. According to Motorola Solutions' announcement, D-Fend will have revenue of about $185 million in 2026, after an increase of over 50% in sales in recent years in dozens of countries, including the US. The company is profitable and, as far as is known, generates cash. D-Fend was founded 10 years ago and has raised only $65 million to date. In its most recent financing round two years ago, the company received a valuation estimated at $128 million before money, according to PitchBook. Exit for the founders This is a huge exit for founders CEO Zohar Halachmi, CTO Assaf Monza and CPO Yaniv Benbenisti, and early investors, led by the Vertex Israel. The investment, led by the fund's founder in Israel, Yoram Oron, has produced over $300 million for all Vertex funds, according to estimates, for a stake of about 20% of the company this after the fund invested $6 million in D-Fend's initial round, which was at a valuation of only $17 million. Oron is also known as the founder of the ammunition company Aryt Industries (TASE: ARYT), which currently trades at a market cap of about $1 billion, Other prominent investors in D-Fend are Canadian fund Claridge, which holds over 10% of the company, and the Israel Growth Partners (IGP) fund of Moshe Lichtman and Haim Shani, whose investment is managed by partner Uri Erde. Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on June 1, 2026. You May Like

Motorola Solutions (NYSE: MSI) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire D-Fend Solutions (D-Fend), an industry leader in counter...

University of Alabama names D-Fend Solutions as counter-drone technology supplier for campus and gameday airspace security. Apr 16, 2026 D-Fend Solutions, the leader in field-proven radio frequency (RF) cyber-driven, non-kinetic, non-disruptive counter-drone takeover technology, today announced that the University of Alabama has selected and adopted D-Fend as a counter-drone technology supplier. Deploying EnforceAir, the University has established a pioneer model for higher education airspace security, protecting campus operations, critical infrastructure, and major public events. A "small city" Environment with massive security demands. As a Tier One R1 research institution, the University of Alabama operates as a "small city," spanning 3.5 square miles with 330 buildings and nearly 50,000 students, faculty, and staff. During football season, the campus becomes one of the largest population centers in the state. Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium hosts over 100,000 fans, while the "sea of humanity" on the campus Quad and surrounding areas can draw an additional 70,000 tailgaters. "D-Fend and EnforceAir have been game changers for us," said Michael Kelley, Director of Security Technologies at the University of Alabama. "Our situational awareness has expanded dramatically. Not only do we know what is in the airspace around our campus, but we have the ability to mitigate if necessary." Unprecedented airspace insights and proactive protection. Following a comprehensive evaluation of leading technologies, including season-long live performance trials against other systems, the University selected EnforceAir for its unique technical capability to support controlled mitigation, an option to be utilized by authorized, trained personnel in accordance with evolving regulatory frameworks, without the risks associated with kinetic measures or jamming, which can cause collateral damage or disrupt campus communications. Key operational points from the University's deployment include: * Scale of the Threat: During one evaluation period, the system identified well over a thousand drones operating in the vicinity, underscoring the massive scale of UAS activity over collegiate environments. * Exceptional Coverage: From an elevated position, a single EnforceAir unit provided extensive, long-range detection notifications covering the campus and surrounding approaches. * Strategic Integration: The University integrates EnforceAir into its Emergency Operations Center (EOC), utilizing a Unified Command Framework to collaborate with local, state, and federal partners during major events. * Thorough Evaluation: The University selected EnforceAir after a rigorous process that included reviewing leading systems, ultimately choosing D-Fend for its intuitive interface and effective, safe, and non-disruptive mitigation technical capability. Protecting continuity and research. The University recognized that unauthorized drones present risks ranging from accidental collisions and falling debris to the disruption of high-level research and athletic events. "Higher education institutions face unique challenges: open environments, major public events, critical research, and evolving regulatory frameworks," said Zohar Halachmi, CEO and Chairman of D-Fend Solutions. "EnforceAir enables proactive, non-disruptive control that aligns with both safety and operational continuity." Michael Kelley added, "We are initiative-taking, not reactionary. We have to plan for the future, and D-Fend's technology allows us to do exactly that. About The University of Alabama: The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state's flagship university and a student-centered research university. A Tier 1- Major University and R1 Research University, it is home to a record enrollment of 42,000 students and features a world-renowned athletic program with 18 National Championships. About D-Fend Solutions: D-Fend Solutions is the leading provider of field-proven radio frequency (RF) cyber-driven, non-kinetic, non-disruptive, AI-enhanced counter-drone takeover technology, enabling full control, safety, and continuity during rogue drone incidents to overcome both current and emerging drone threats in complex and sensitive environments. With thousands of successful deployments performed worldwide in the most challenging real-life scenarios, EnforceAir, the company's core offering, focuses on the most dangerous drone threats in military, public safety, airport, prison, major event, critical infrastructure, and other environments. D-Fend Solutions' technology is deployed by top-tier government agencies, including military, law enforcement, and homeland security, as well as major international airports globally. EnforceAir executes RF cyber-takeovers of rogue drones as a standalone, multilayer, or integrated system, for safe landings and controlled outcomes, preserving the smooth flow of communications, commerce, transportation, and everyday life. Your Industry Connection Join other industry pros who get pertinent, fast-reading nationwide stories delivered daily to their inbox with AB Today.