NUBURU Enters the $20B Global Counter-Drone Defense Market as Lyocon Completes Proof-of-Concept for Portable Directed-Energy Laser Platform

Key Terms

directed-energy technical

Directed-energy describes technology that sends concentrated beams of light, radio waves, or microwaves to produce an effect at a distance, similar to using a focused flashlight rather than a room lamp. For investors, it matters because development, manufacturing, and deployment of these systems can drive defense and industrial spending, create intellectual property and export rules, and affect revenue and risk profiles for firms involved in advanced electronics and materials.

non-kinetic technical

Non-kinetic describes actions or effects that cause harm or change without using physical force, movement, or explosions — for example, cyberattacks, electronic interference, sanctions, or legal and regulatory pressure. Investors should care because non-kinetic events can disrupt operations, data, or markets without visible damage, creating sudden financial, reputational, or compliance risks that may not be covered by traditional insurance and can require different technical or legal responses, much like a blackout can halt a business without any structural damage.

electronic warfare technical

Electronic warfare involves using technology to disrupt, deceive, or disable an opponent’s electronic systems, such as communication networks, radar, or navigation signals. It is like jamming or scrambling a radio or GPS to prevent others from receiving clear information. For investors, it matters because advances in electronic warfare can impact military capabilities, influence global security, and affect the stability of markets and technological investments.

counter-drone technical

Counter-drone describes tools and services that detect, track and stop unauthorized small aircraft (drones) from entering or disrupting a site, like a security guard for the air above a building. It matters to investors because demand for these systems grows with concerns about safety, regulation and business continuity, creating revenue opportunities and affecting risk exposure for companies that operate critical infrastructure, venues, or logistics networks.

uav technical

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is an aircraft that flies without a pilot on board, controlled remotely or by onboard software like a self-driving car. Investors care because UAVs are used across industries—delivery, agriculture, inspection, mapping, and defense—so demand, regulation, or technological advances can quickly affect revenue and costs for companies that make, operate, or rely on them. Think of a UAV as a robotic helper in the sky whose growing use can change market opportunities and risks.

uas technical

UAS stands for Unmanned Aircraft System, the complete setup that lets a remotely piloted aircraft (commonly called a drone) fly safely — including the aircraft itself, the ground controller, communications links and supporting equipment. Investors watch UAS because rules, technology and demand for tasks like surveying, delivery or aerial inspection directly affect companies’ sales and regulatory costs; think of it as a vehicle plus its keys, radio and support crew that together determine whether it can operate profitably.

ai-enabled technical

AI-enabled describes a product, service, or process that uses artificial intelligence—software that learns from data and makes decisions or predictions—as a core feature rather than a minor add-on. For investors it matters because AI-enabled offerings can boost productivity, lower costs or unlock new revenue streams; like adding a smart autopilot to a routine task, they can change a company's growth potential and competitive edge while also bringing higher upfront investment needs and distinct regulatory or ethical risks.

nato-compliant technical

Nato-compliant means a product, system, or process meets the technical standards and interoperability rules set by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization so it can work safely and reliably with equipment used by NATO member countries. For investors, that status is like having the right plug and instructions for a wide network of buyers: it can unlock defence contracts, lower integration and certification costs, and reduce the risk that a product will be rejected by military or government purchasers.

Directed-energy breakthrough positions NUBURU’s Defense & Security platform to address the rapidly expanding global counter-UAV market as demand for portable drone-mitigation technologies accelerates worldwide

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

NUBURU, Inc. (NYSE American: BURU), a dual-use Defense & Security platform company focused on non-kinetic effects, directed-energy technologies, electronic warfare and software-orchestrated defense systems, today announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Lyocon S.r.l. (“Lyocon”) has successfully completed the proof-of-concept (“POC”) of a portable directed-energy laser dazzler platform designed for counter-drone (“C-UAV”) defense applications.

Counter-drone technologies have become a critical priority for defense agencies worldwide as the proliferation of low-cost unmanned aircraft systems (“UAS”) reshapes modern battlefield and security environments.

The milestone represents NUBURU’s entry into the rapidly expanding counter-drone defense market, where military forces, security operators, and critical-infrastructure providers worldwide are accelerating deployment of technologies capable of neutralizing emerging UAV threats.

According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global counter-UAS market is projected to grow from approximately $6.6 billion in 2025 to more than $20 billion by 2030 as defense agencies increase investment in C-UAV technologies.

The development expands NUBURU’s directed-energy capabilities within its integrated Defense & Security ecosystem, which combines laser technologies, electronic warfare solutions, AI-enabled mission software platforms, and tactical defense systems designed to address evolving multi-domain threats.

Addressing One of the Most Urgent Threats in Modern Warfare

The rapid proliferation of low-cost commercial and tactical drones has emerged as one of the most disruptive developments in modern conflict environments.

Recent operational developments across global conflict zones have demonstrated how inexpensive UAV platforms can threaten:

• frontline military units
• armored vehicles and logistics convoys
• critical infrastructure
• border security installations
• airports and major public venues

These evolving threats are accelerating global procurement of counter-drone protection technologies, particularly portable and rapidly deployable mitigation systems capable of neutralizing UAV threats in real time.

Directed-Energy Platform Designed for Rapid Deployment

The Lyocon counter-drone system is designed to generate optical interference capable of disrupting UAV sensors and visual systems, enabling a non-kinetic mitigation approach against drone threats.

The system leverages NUBURU’s semiconductor laser expertise and is built around a compact and modular directed-energy architecture optimized for field deployment.

Key technical capabilities include:

• Multi-wavelength directed-energy configuration
  • Green laser band
  • Blue laser band
  • Infrared (IR) band
• Scalable optical power output
  • 1W to 10W operational range
• Advanced beam control
  • Adjustable beam divergence: 2.5 to 30 mrad
  • Dynamic beam regulation
  • Precision collimation
• Operational deployment design
  • Lightweight rifle-mounted architecture
  • Compatible with standard military small-arms platforms
  • Portable battlefield deployment
  • Designed for NATO-compliant operational environments

Early Customer Engagement and Validation

In parallel with the internal POC milestone, Lyocon has been engaged in structured technical validation activities with a large government-owned defense electronics company, one of the leading suppliers of advanced defense systems and military electronics in its domestic market.

Within this engagement framework:

• prototype trials have been completed and production-prototype trials have been successfully finalized, and
• the technology platform has progressed through technical evaluation and validation stages.

Following these development milestones, the parties have also entered discussions regarding potential procurement pathways, including the negotiation of a possible supply agreement, subject to customary technical qualification, regulatory approvals, and contractual negotiations.

These activities provide early validation of the platform’s operational relevance and market interest within the global defense sector.

The modular architecture of the system enables rapid iteration and integration into broader counter-drone platforms, supporting accelerated deployment timelines compared with traditional defense development cycles.

Management Commentary

Paola Zanzola, Executive Director of Lyocon S.r.l., commented:

“The successful completion of the POC confirms the robustness of the architecture we have engineered and the scalability of Lyocon’s directed-energy platform. Our objective has been to design a compact, modular system capable of delivering effective optical countermeasures against drone threats while maintaining portability and operational flexibility.”

Dario Barisoni, Co-CEO of Nuburu Inc. and CEO of Nuburu Defense LLC, added:

“Counter-drone protection has become one of the most urgent priorities for defense forces and critical infrastructure operators worldwide. Lyocon’s portable directed-energy platform represents a highly adaptable non-kinetic C-UAV solution capable of protecting personnel, vehicles, and sensitive infrastructure from evolving UAV threats.”

About Nuburu, Inc

Founded in 2015, Nuburu is executing a strategic transformation from a laser-technology company into a dual-use Defense & Security platform provider. Through a combination of proprietary directed-energy technologies, non-kinetic defense capabilities, mission-critical software, and targeted industrial partnerships and acquisitions, Nuburu addresses high-value defense, security, and operational-resilience markets.

For more information, visit www.nuburu.net.

About Nuburu Defense LLC

A subsidiary of NUBURU, Nuburu Defense delivers advanced solutions for defense, security, and critical-infrastructure applications, supporting NUBURU’s Defense & Security Hub strategy.

For more information, visit also:

• www.orbitopenplatform.com
• TEKNE S.p.A. | SPECIAL VEHICLES & ELECTRONICS

About Nuburu Subsidiary, Inc

A subsidiary of NUBURU, Nuburu Subsidiary, Inc fully owns Lyocon S.r.l. (“Lyocon”) an Italian laser-technology company specializing in the design, manufacturing, and integration of high-power blue-laser systems for industrial applications.

Lyocon operates as a fully consolidated operating subsidiary within the NUBURU group and represents the core industrial platform for NUBURU’s reactivated blue-laser business.

For more information, visit also Home Page - Lyocon.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release may be forward-looking statements, identified by words such as “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “seek,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast,” or their negatives or variations. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: (1) the ability to meet applicable securities exchange listing standards; (2) the impact of the loss of the Company’s patent portfolio through foreclosure; (3) failure to achieve expectations regarding business development and acquisition strategies; (4) inability to access sufficient capital; (5) inability to realize anticipated benefits of acquisitions; (6) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (7) adverse economic, business, or competitive factors; (8) financial market volatility due to geopolitical and economic factors; and (9) other risks detailed in the Company’s SEC filings, including its most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. These filings address additional risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on these statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. NUBURU undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, except as required by law.

This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

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NUBURU Investor Relations: ir@nuburu.net
Media Contact: press@nuburu.net
Website: www.nuburu.net

Source: NUBURU, Inc.