Shares of Ouster Inc (NASDAQ:OUST) climbed 9.1% in premarket trading on Tuesday after the company announced a strategic supply agreement with ARGUS Interception GmbH. Under the terms of the deal, ARGUS will integrate Ouster’s digital lidar into its A1-Falke® net-based interceptor platform.
The companies said the partnership is aimed at enhancing the precision and dependability of non-kinetic counter-drone operations, a priority in situations where conventional kinetic responses are not suitable. The A1-Falke® is designed to capture and secure uncooperative unmanned aerial systems by using an interception drone equipped with two integrated net launchers.
According to the announcement, the A1-Falke® uses a multi-sensor approach - combining radar, lidar, and depth-sensing cameras - to monitor airspace, detect intrusive drones, and carry out capture maneuvers using ARGUS’s patented net-launcher technology. Ouster’s role under the agreement is to supply digital lidar units to be integrated into that sensor suite.
Ouster’s lidar will be incorporated to optimize precision during the near-range interception phase, with the stated intent of strengthening operational capability from first detection and target acquisition through to controlled capture. The companies highlighted applications that include protecting critical infrastructure and public spaces.
As part of their collaboration, ARGUS will also examine next-generation interception potential using Ouster’s Rev8 digital lidar. The Rev8 is described in the announcement as providing 3D native color sensing and longer-range detection intended for high-speed scenarios; ARGUS will explore how those features might extend interception performance.
ARGUS characterized the A1-Falke® as a modular system, allowing components to be deployed either in integrated configurations or as standalone elements depending on mission needs. The partnership was presented as positioning Ouster to meet growing demand for counter-drone solutions amid rising concerns about unmanned aerial systems posing risks to critical infrastructure and public safety.
Contextual note: The announcement links Ouster’s digital lidar supply to efforts to improve non-kinetic interception accuracy and to exploratory work on advanced Rev8 capabilities. The A1-Falke® platform’s multi-sensor approach and modular design are central to how the companies say the integration will be applied in operational settings.