Perennial Autonomy
American defense tech firm known for AI counter-drone systems.
Perennial Autonomy, LLC is an American defense technology company that builds autonomous, AI-powered drones and systems to counter enemy drones. The company gained public attention after its counter-drone technology was used in the Russian-Ukrainian War, and after it received a framework contract from the U.S. Department of Defense in May 2026 worth up to US$500 million.
The company began as a drone project initiated by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and was founded in 2023 under the name "White Stork." Forbes reported in early 2024 that Schmidt had kept the project secret while developing AI-enabled military drones for Ukraine. Staff were recruited from Apple, SpaceX, Google, and U.S. federal agencies. Testing reportedly took place near Schmidt’s family office Hillspire in Menlo Park, as well as in Ukraine. Sebastian Thrun served as an adviser. In 2024, the project was renamed "Project Eagle." During Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the company built systems to counter one-way attack drones, particularly Iranian-designed Shahed drones used by Russia. The Merops system was first deployed in Ukraine against Russian drones and later tested or purchased by NATO members such as Poland and Romania.
In January 2026, Perennial Autonomy received a US$5.2 million contract from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint Interagency Task Force 401 for the Bumblebee V2 system. In May 2026, a three-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity framework contract followed, with a maximum value of US$500 million. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, this contract covers AI-enabled counter-drone systems including Merops, Bumblebee, and Hornet, which were then being used by U.S. forces in the area of responsibility of United States Central Command. Also in 2026, a European production plan was announced. The Wall Street Journal reported that Perennial Autonomy had reached an agreement with Munich-based Twentyfour Industries to manufacture the Merops system in Germany. The company also hired former German Chancellery chief Wolfgang Schmidt as an adviser.
Perennial Autonomy develops and supplies autonomous drones and counter-drone systems for military customers. The U.S. Department of Defense describes its systems as combining Silicon Valley AI development with experience from the war in Ukraine. The goal is to protect U.S.
- Founded
- 2023
- Founder associated
- Eric Schmidt
- Initial names
- White Stork and Project Eagle
- Notable contract
- US$500 million framework contract from U.S. Department of Defense (May 2026)
- Merops interceptions
- more than 4,000 Russian drones in Ukraine since mid-2024 (as of May 2026)
- Merops unit cost
- about US$15,000
- Hornet range
- up to approximately 200 km (120 mi)
Lore & Background
Perennial Autonomy originates from a drone project started by Eric Schmidt and founded in 2023 under the name 'White Stork'. Forbes reported in early 2024 that Schmidt had built the project in secrecy to develop AI-enabled military drones for Ukraine. The company recruited personnel from Apple, SpaceX, Google and U.S. federal agencies. Drones were reportedly tested near Schmidt's family office Hillspire in Menlo Park and in Ukraine. Sebastian Thrun acted as an adviser. In 2024, the project was renamed 'Project Eagle'. During the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the company developed systems to counter one-way attack drones, particularly Iranian-developed Shahed drones used by Russia. The Merops system was first deployed in Ukraine against Russian drones and was later tested or procured by NATO member states such as Poland and Romania. In January 2026, Perennial Autonomy received a US$5.2 million contract from the Joint Interagency Task Force 401 for the Bumblebee V2 system. In May 2026, a three-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity framework contract with a maximum value of US$500 million followed. Also in 2026, a European production plan was revealed: an agreement with Twentyfour Industries to manufacture the Merops system in Germany. The company also hired former German Chancellery chief Wolfgang Schmidt as an adviser.
Reader's Guide
Perennial Autonomy's significance lies in its rapid emergence as a supplier of combat-proven counter-drone systems, particularly the Merops system, which by May 2026 had intercepted more than 4,000 Russian drones in Ukraine since mid-2024. The company's business model emphasizes cost logic: instead of expensive air-defense missiles, inexpensive interceptor drones like Merops (about US$15,000 per unit) are procured in large quantities to counter cheaper attack drones. The U.S. Department of Defense describes its systems as combining AI development from Silicon Valley with experience from the Ukrainian theater of war. The company's portfolio includes Merops, Bumblebee V2, and Hornet systems, all covered under the US$500 million framework contract. The publicly known investor and ownership structure is only partially transparent, with Eric Schmidt described as founder, initiator or principal financier. The company is part of a broader defense technology network including Volya Robotics and Aurelian Industries. Its legacy is tied to demonstrating that low-cost, AI-enabled interceptor drones can be effectively deployed at scale in active conflict, influencing future military procurement strategies.
Did You Know?
- Perennial Autonomy initially operated under the names 'White Stork' and 'Project Eagle'.
- The company received a US$5.2 million contract for the Bumblebee V2 system in January 2026.
- The Hornet drone has a range of up to approximately 200 km and a payload of about 5 kg.
More in UAV Manufacturers 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced