Zing Drone Solutions Wins $100K at Pendleton Counter-UAS Challenge for Z-SCAN

Zing Drone Solutions, an innovative leader in aerial security technology, proudly revealed today that it secured the $100,000 grand prize at the Proven in Pendleton Counter-UAS Challenge, organized by the Oregon UAS Accelerator.

The company’s cutting-edge Z-SCAN system outperformed solutions from 30 other competitors, excelling in live field tests and investor pitches judged by a distinguished panel of national security and defense specialists, including Tom Perkowski, Keith Brendley, and Paul Allen. The competition aimed to spotlight advanced technologies capable of countering the rising threat of unauthorized drones infiltrating restricted areas.

Z-SCAN, a passive RF-based system, excels in detecting drones and pinpointing their operators’ locations. Engineered to address vulnerabilities in high-security environments like prisons, airports, and critical infrastructure, it leverages high-gain directional antennas and proprietary machine learning algorithms to identify, classify, and track drones and pilots in real time, even in challenging weather conditions where conventional radar and optical systems falter.

“This award is a major validation of our technology and vision,” said Ian Annase, Founder and CEO of Zing Drone Solutions. “Drones are entering secure perimeters unnoticed, and bad actors are exploiting the vulnerability. Security teams have strong defenses for ground threats like fences and cameras, but almost nothing protecting their airspace. Z-SCAN closes that gap.”

With over 1,500 correctional facilities across the United States, Z-SCAN targets an initial market with a $72 million annual recurring revenue potential. Looking ahead, Zing plans to expand its reach to airports, stadiums, and strategic licensing partnerships with leading security companies.

“We are proud to be starting our commercial rollout in the Pacific Northwest, building a strong foundation through local partnerships before expanding nationwide,” said Annase.