The U.S. has tested Bumblebee interceptor drones, which have proven their worth on the front lines in Ukraine

U.S. Armed Forces Northern Command tested Bumblebee interceptor drones from the American company Perennial Autonomy during the Falcon Peak 26.2 exercises at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. The tests are part of an experiment to counter small unmanned aerial vehicles, which will run through September 25, 2026.

Falcon Peak 26.2 was organized by U.S. Northern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF-401). 

The experiment focuses primarily on countering drones, particularly along the U.S. southern border. The military is testing technologies for detecting, identifying, tracking, and neutralizing small UAVs.

Perennial Autonomy was one of 21 companies involved in Falcon Peak 26.2. The company demonstrated its unmanned systems during field tests at the Yuma Proving Ground. Photos from U.S. Northern Command confirm Perennial Autonomy’s participation in the exercises and the launch of Bumblebee.

According to USNORTHCOM, Falcon Peak 26.2 is intended to demonstrate new counter-drone technologies, expand the use of low-risk solutions, and provide developers with operational feedback from the military.

The tests also draw on the experience of Joint Task Force – Southern Border to identify the technologies needed to counter drones that could be used for surveillance and smuggling.

Bumblebee is a quadcopter designed to intercept small drones by colliding directly with them. In this configuration, the drone itself is effectively used as a kinetic weapon.

Perennial Autonomy also positions Bumblebee as a platform for reconnaissance, surveillance, and other missions. The company currently offers the Bumblebee V1 and Bumblebee V2, as well as other autonomous systems.

One of Bumblebee’s features is semi-autonomous control. According to data released about the system, onboard artificial intelligence is used for target acquisition during the final stage of flight. The manufacturer claims a direct hit rate of over 70% thanks to autonomous terminal guidance.

This should allow the interceptor to continue tracking the target even if the operator of the enemy drone loses control of it.

Bumblebee systems have previously been used by the Ukrainian military against Russian drones. In particular, open-source defense reports have indicated the use of various versions of Bumblebee against FPV drones and reconnaissance UAVs.

Perennial Autonomy states that its systems were developed based on lessons learned from the war in Ukraine. The company’s website notes that it was founded to develop autonomous systems in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Separately, the company developed Merops—a drone interception system that has been used against Shahed-type attack drones. Open sources have also reported the use of Merops against Russian and Iranian drones.

In January 2026, Joint Interagency Task Force 401 awarded Perennial Autonomy a $5.2 million contract for the Bumblebee V2. The system is intended to serve as a means of countering small drones.

In May, the company also received a contract from the U.S. Department of Defense with a maximum value of $500 million for the supply and development of the Merops, Bumblebee, and Hornet systems.

During Falcon Peak 26.2, Perennial Autonomy is testing its solutions directly as part of a U.S. experiment aimed at protecting military facilities and the southern U.S. border from drones.

Perennial Autonomy was founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. It was previously known as Project Eagle.

Today, in addition to Bumblebee V1 and V2, the company’s product lineup includes the Merops, Hornet, AS3, and AS4 systems. Perennial Autonomy focuses on autonomous navigation, operation in GPS-jammed environments, and the integration of various tools into multi-layered UAV countermeasure systems.

U.S. Northern Command has not yet announced which specific technologies tested during Falcon Peak 26.2 will be recommended for further operational use along the southern border. The experiment will continue through September 25.

This is according to a post by U.S. Northern Command.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that two Ukrainian companies had successfully conducted combat tests of interceptors designed to counter jet-powered “Shaheds.” During the tests, a Russian high-speed “Shahed” was successfully destroyed.

The Ukrainian company “Vluchnik” unveiled a new interceptor drone, the “Zorelit v5,” designed to combat jet-powered and other strike and reconnaissance UAVs.