KONGSBERG acquires Zone 5 and enters development and high-volume production of affordable missiles

“The acquisition of Zone 5 marks a significant strategic move for KONGSBERG. Zone 5 is at the forefront of developing affordable missiles to be produced in high numbers,” said Geir Håøy, CEO of KONGSBERG.

Recent conflicts have demonstrated the critical role of high-volume defense capabilities in modern warfare. Such weapons are required both to defend against massive air drone attacks and to strike a wide range of adversary assets, necessary to create deterrence. These capabilities are in high demand.  

KONGSBERG has a world-leading portfolio of advanced air defence and long-range strike missile technologies and products. Zone 5’s product line fits well into the KONGSBERG systems and are complementary to KONGSBERG products. By combining the high-performing KONGSBERG portfolio and Zone 5’s high-volume assets, KONGSBERG can provide comprehensive and flexible systems that allow nations to manage complex defence scenarios.

Zone 5 has been winning contracts and down-selected in competitive programmes in the US. Notable programmes include US Air Force ERAM (Extended Range Attack Munition), FAMM (Family of Affordable Mass Missiles) and the US Defence Innovation Unit for the flight testing of low-cost kill systems against larger drones.

“Zone 5 represents a strong match with KONGSBERG’s ambitions of expanding our strike missile portfolio and developing Full Spectrum Air Defence capabilities, while further advancing our presence in the United States. We are impressed with how Zone 5 has been successful in bringing new technologies to the market in fierce competition with the rest of the industry, and we look forward to working with the Zone 5 team,” said Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.

KONGSBERG will acquire 90 percent of Zone 5, and the management team will remain as minority shareholders. Post-closing, Zone 5 will operate as an independent subsidiary. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.

“KONGSBERG shares Zone 5’s core values of an unwavering commitment to our customers, exceptionally engineered solutions, and valuing our employees who are the foundation of all we do,” said Thomas Akers, Chairman, CEO, and CTO of Zone 5. “Our teams look forward to learning from one another as Zone 5 continues to efficiently scale its production capabilities, while remaining the innovative and disruptive growth platform that makes Zone 5 special.”

About Zone 5

Zone 5 is a technology development company founded in 2011 and headquartered in San Luis Obispo in California. The company has about 250+ employees and revenues of more than USD 100m in 2025. The company has been profitable for many years and will be so, also in 2025. Zone 5 offers a range of digitally engineered, low-cost missiles to enable affordable mass and precision strike engagements from a range of aircraft.

Zone 5’s effectors are adapted to changing mission requirements during development, production, and sustainment. The company’s key products include Rusty Dagger – a low cost, versatile strike missile with flexible launch options and demonstrated successful tests, White Spike – a low cost group 3+ affordable air interceptor highly complementary to Kongsberg’s exquisite air defence systems, and Paladin – a low collateral effects interceptor (LCEI), built as a group 2 hexacopter and supports missions such as counter-UAS drone interception, explosive munitions drop, and combatant rifle takedowns.

About Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace delivers defence technologies and systems for command and control, surveillance, space, tactical communications, remote weapon stations and strike missiles to customers around the world. Key deliveries include NASAMS air defence, the Naval Strike Missile and Joint Strike Missile and PROTECTOR remote weapon stations. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, which is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange and 50.1 percent owned by the Norwegian government.