Innoviz And Givon Defense Team On LiDAR For Counter-Drone Systems
Israeli firms Innoviz Technologies and Givon Defense have partnered to evaluate automotive-grade LiDAR as a precision-localization layer for counter-UAS platforms, aiming to close a persistent gap in low-altitude drone tracking.
Key Takeaways
Innoviz Technologies and Givon Defense announced a strategic partnership on July 1 to evaluate automotive-grade LiDAR as a precision-localization layer for counter-drone (C-UAS) systems.
Initial trials of Innoviz's InnovizTwo and Innoviz360 sensors delivered dense spatial data that Givon says could improve effector cueing and airspace deconfliction where radar and RF sensors struggle with small, slow, or autonomous drones.
Innoviz's LiDAR was built for Level 2+ and Level 4 automotive use, with validated temperature, shock, and vibration performance that appeals to defense buyers scaling C-UAS deployments after drone incidents at US and NATO bases.
The deal extends a busy defense push for Nasdaq-listed Innoviz (INVZ), following partnerships with Regulus Cyber and Cogniteam, alongside ongoing automotive wins like Mobileye Drive robotaxi integration.
The partnership coincides with the Pentagon consolidating drone-related acquisition under the new DRPM-UxS office, creating a single acquisition path for growing C-UAS budgets.
Kaan Tınmaz
Israeli LiDAR maker Innoviz Technologies and defense integrator Givon Defense have announced a strategic partnership to evaluate LiDAR-based precision localization for counter-drone systems, the two companies said on July 1. The collaboration marks Innoviz's most explicit push out of automotive and into the defense sensing market.
Filling A C-UAS Precision Gap
Givon Defense has been testing multiple sensing technologies to solve one of the hardest problems in counter-UAS: maintaining a stable, real-time position on a small, low, and often moving drone in cluttered environments. Radar can miss slow, small targets; RF-only kits struggle with autonomous drones running dark. Initial trials of Innoviz's InnovizTwo and Innoviz360 LiDARs delivered dense, geometry-first spatial data that Givon says could unlock more accurate cueing for effectors and improved airspace deconfliction.
Automotive Grade, Battlefield Job
Innoviz's platform was designed for Level 2+ and Level 4 passenger cars, which means it has been driven through rigorous validation on temperature, shock and vibration. That reliability is what makes it interesting to defense buyers now scaling up C-UAS deployments after multiple drone incidents at US and NATO bases. "LiDAR gives you exactly the spatial signal that counter-drone doctrine has been missing at short and medium range," said one industry analyst.
Building On A Busy C-UAS Quarter
The Givon tie-up follows Innoviz's July partnership with Regulus Cyber and its work with Cogniteam on a new counter-UAS classification module. Nasdaq-listed Innoviz (INVZ) is also extending automotive design wins including its recent integration into Mobileye Drive robotaxis. The Givon deal comes as the Pentagon consolidates its drone portfolio under the new DRPM-UxS office, giving vendors a single acquisition door for the fast-growing C-UAS budget.
Reporting based on coverage from PR Newswire, The Defense Post, Investing.com and Nasdaq.
What is the Innoviz and Givon Defense partnership about?
The two Israeli companies are evaluating Innoviz's automotive-grade LiDAR sensors as a precision-localization layer for counter-drone (C-UAS) systems, addressing the challenge of tracking small, low-flying drones in real time. The deal was announced July 1.
Why use LiDAR for counter-drone systems instead of radar or RF sensors?
Radar can miss slow, small drone targets, and RF-only systems struggle with autonomous drones that emit no signals. LiDAR provides dense, geometry-first spatial data that can enable more accurate effector cueing and airspace deconfliction at short and medium range.
Which Innoviz sensors are being tested by Givon Defense?
Initial trials used the InnovizTwo and Innoviz360 LiDAR sensors, which were originally designed for Level 2+ and Level 4 passenger vehicles and validated for temperature, shock, and vibration.
Is this Innoviz's first move into defense?
No. The Givon deal follows Innoviz's partnership with Regulus Cyber and work with Cogniteam on a counter-UAS classification module, marking its most explicit expansion from automotive into defense sensing.
