OpenWorks Engineering
UK-based defence technology company developing AI-powered intelligent optics (Vision Flex/Pace/Guard) and net-capture systems (SkyWall) for counter-drone applications, serving military, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure customers globally via direct sales and defence prime partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2015
- HeadquartersStocksfield, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What OpenWorks Engineering does
OpenWorks Engineering Limited is a privately held UK defence technology company founded in 2015 and headquartered in Prudhoe, Northumberland, with approximately 100 employees as of May 2026. The company designs and manufactures intelligent optical systems for counter-UAS (C-UAS), air defence and surveillance applications. Its product portfolio is organised into two lines: the Vision series of AI-powered autonomous optics (Vision Flex for modular static/mobile tracking, Vision Pace for stabilised on-the-move targeting, and Vision Guard for deployable panoramic surveillance), and the SkyWall line of physical net-capture systems (SkyWall Patrol handheld and SkyWall Auto vehicle-mounted). Underlying technology combines twin-AI deep learning models with EO/IR sensors, gyro-stabilised mounts, and SAPIENT-compliant open architecture for integration with third-party radars, RF detectors and C2 platforms.
The company's commercial model is built on direct engagement with defence ministries, military forces, and government security agencies, complemented by an integrator and prime contractor channel (Thales UK, Leidos Australia, DroneShield, Robin Radar, Echodyne, CS Systems, Liteye Systems for the US, STX for South Korea). Revenue is generated through hardware product sales (Vision and SkyWall systems), professional services including operator and armourer training courses, and a recently formalized Special Projects capability for custom systems engineering. Named end-customers include the UK MoD, US Marine Corps, FBI, France SPAD (Paris Olympics 2024), Royal Netherlands Army, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Australia Department of Defence (Land 156 programme), and EU ISF Police SKYFALL framework, alongside critical national infrastructure operators. The company received the King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2026 and won the MITRE Challenge in 2016.
OpenWorks Engineering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OpenWorks Engineering
- Legal name
- OpenWorks Engineering Limited
- Website
- https://openworksengineering.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2015
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- UK-based defence technology company developing AI-powered intelligent optics (Vision Flex/Pace/Guard) and net-capture systems (SkyWall) for counter-drone applications, serving military, law enforcement, and critical infrastructure customers globally via direct sales and defence prime partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OpenWorks Engineering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Counter-UAS Defence Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Counter-UAS Detection Sensors & Integrated Sensor Suites (IMABAGAK), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Detection & Defeat Systems (IMABAOAN), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)
Keywords
Where OpenWorks Engineering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Stocksfield
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
OpenWorks Engineering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Hardware Product Sales: Sale of intelligent optical systems (Vision Flex, Vision Pace, Vision Guard) and net capture systems (SkyWall Patrol, SkyWall Auto). One-time product sales with potential for follow-on orders and spare parts.
- Training Services: Operator training courses and armourers courses for end-users including military, law enforcement and government organisations. Delivered globally including at end-user facilities.
- Special Projects & Systems Integration: Custom engineering services for complex systems integration, adapting core technology for specific customer requirements. Often bundled with product sales to defence primes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | No public pricing tiers available |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
OpenWorks Engineering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OpenWorks Engineering designs, manufactures and sells intelligent optical sensor systems and physical net capture systems for counter-UAS (drone), air defence and surveillance applications. Its core Vision-series products (Vision Flex, Vision Pace, Vision Guard) provide AI-powered autonomous detection, identification and tracking of class 1 drones, while its SkyWall products (SkyWall Patrol handheld and SkyWall Auto vehicle-mounted) physically capture hostile drones using smart projectiles. Products are sold directly to defence ministries, military forces, law enforcement and critical infrastructure operators globally.
Product overview
OpenWorks Engineering is a UK-based defense technology company specializing in intelligent optics and counter-UAS solutions. The product portfolio centers on three core Vision-series intelligent optics products (Vision Flex for modular camera systems, Vision Pace for stabilised tracking and targeting, and Vision Guard for deployable surveillance) combined with SkyWall net capture systems (SkyWall Patrol handheld and SkyWall Auto vehicle-mounted). The company offers AI-powered autonomous capabilities through SkyAI, integration modules like SkyLink, and Special Projects custom engineering services. Products support counter-drone, air defense, border protection, maritime, and critical infrastructure protection applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Vision Flex Modular camera system providing real-time detection, identification and tracking for static, mobile and un-crewed counter-UAS applications. Features twin-AI with EO/IR sensors for autonomous classification and tracking of class 1 drones at long range. Designed for military forces, security integrators and critical infrastructure operators.
- Vision Pace Stabilised tracking and targeting system optimised for on-the-move target acquisition. Enhanced stabilisation enables detection, tracking, identification and targeting of highly dynamic aerial threats at long range across land and naval domains. Designed for vehicle-mounted military counter-UAS operations.
- Vision Guard Deployable, configurable panoramic surveillance system designed to detect, track and identify class 1 drones at long range. Features panoramic staring capability with AI-powered detection and modular sensor/radar/acoustic configurations for forward observation and early warning. Targeted at military forces and critical infrastructure operators requiring rapid deployment.
- SkyWall Patrol Handheld net capture system that allows mobile operators to physically capture drones with a smart projectile. Provides low-collateral damage drone defeat capability for military, policing, and critical national infrastructure protection where electronic jamming cannot be deployed. Deployed globally since 2016 to protect heads of state, military forces and major events.
- Special Projects Custom complex systems engineering service providing novel solutions for unique customer challenges. Wraps proven engineering capabilities including sensor fusion, complex systems integration, and AI coupling to deliver tailored products for large defence programmes such as Vision Pace integration with Thales and Echodyne sensors.
Quantifiable outcome
- Vision Flex successfully detected and tracked DJI Mavic at 2km and DJI Inspire at 2.5km during Canadian authority testing
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use OpenWorks Engineering
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OpenWorks Engineering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration10 records
AI capability7 records
Feature6 records
OpenWorks Engineering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
14 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting, core and flagship.
- EchodynesupportingVision Guard showcased alongside Echodyne's multi-mission radar technology at Eurosatory 2026, demonstrating benefits of combining advanced sensing and visual identification in layered counter-UAS solutions.
- WalarissupportingVision Flex integrated with Walaris AirScout AI system, featured on Walaris stand at Eurosatory 2026 demonstrating AI-powered optical tracking within their counter-UAS ecosystem.
- Leidos AustraliacoreSystems integration partner for Australia's AU$1.3 billion Land 156 counter-drone programme. Leidos serves as the programme's systems integration partner for the layered, distributed counter-UAS architecture where Vision Guard is being evaluated.
- HGHsupportingNew operational collaboration announced at Eurosatory 2026 aimed at strengthening passive air surveillance and drone identification capabilities through integration of complementary technologies.
- Thales UKflagshipPartnership with Thales UK as a defence prime, bringing OpenWorks' special projects and custom integration capabilities. Example includes Vision Pace system integration with sensors from Thales and Echodyne for precision targeting at DSEI 2025.
- DroneShieldcoreInteroperability partnership integrating OpenWorks optical sensors into DroneShield's DroneSentry-C2 command-and-control software and SensorFusion ecosystem. Enables AI-driven visual detection, validation, and tracking of drone threats through DroneOptID capability within a unified operational interface.
- Robin Radar SystemscoreCollaboration establishing high-speed on-the-move (OTM) counter-UAS capability achieving speeds up to 100km/h. Integration of Vision Flex EO/IR with IRIS 3D radar for autonomous slew-to-cue and close target tracking at long range.
- 360 Vision TechnologysupportingTechnical partnership for 360 Vision Technology rugged HD, radar and thermal PTZ imaging cameras. OpenWorks provides AI classification and motion control modules for Counter-UAS applications.
- ESG Elektroniksystem-und Logistik-GmbHsupportingIntegration testing partner for Vision Flex CUAS in Germany. Led integrator of GUARDION C-UAS system where OpenWorks SkyAI technology was integrated with Axis cameras.
- AntmicrosupportingOngoing collaboration for next-generation AI drone target tracking. Antmicro and OpenWorks worked together on testing and development of autonomous optical systems with deep learning capabilities.
- CS SystemssupportingSkyWall100 demonstrated as part of Boreades integrated anti-drone system developed by CS Systems in the UAE. SkyWall provides net capture capability within layered counter-UAS architecture.
- Liteye SystemscoreExclusive partnership covering US military, law enforcement and security authorities. Liteye provides sales and support for SkyWall net capture systems in the American market.
- GUARDIONsupportingSkyLink module successfully tested with GUARDION solution, enabling SkyWall100 to be integrated with end-to-end C-UAS systems with radar cueing.
- STXsupportingPartnership with South Korea's leading counter-UAS solution provider for display and promotion of SkyWall systems in the South Korean market.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights6 records
OpenWorks Engineering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DroneShield: Australia-based, ASX-listed counter-UAS specialist offering DroneSentry-C2, DroneGun, and DroneOptID, with which OpenWorks has formal interoperability integration. DroneShield is OpenWorks' most directly comparable peer in C-UAS detection, classification, and soft-kill effectors.
- Fortem Technologies: US-based counter-UAS company offering DroneHunter (autonomous interceptor drone) and TrueView radar, competing with OpenWorks in autonomous detection and kinetic defeat of small drones for military and infrastructure protection customers.
- Dedrone: US-based counter-UAS detection specialist offering multi-sensor (RF, radar, camera) drone detection software. Acquired by Axon in 2024. Competes head-to-head with OpenWorks Vision-series products in the same government and critical-infrastructure procurement cycles.
- Liteye Systems: US-based counter-UAS integrator and OpenWorks' exclusive US channel partner for SkyWall. Liteye offers its own AUDS and SHIELD products and competes in adjacent C-UAS integration programmes, with overlapping customer relationships.
- Robin Radar Systems: Dutch 3D counter-drone radar specialist and OpenWorks partner, integrating IRIS radar with Vision Flex. Robin Radar competes in the same C-UAS detection layer and is frequently bid alongside or against OpenWorks in European tenders.
- Blighter Surveillance Systems: UK-based radar and electronic-scanning sensor company offering A800 counter-drone radar and integrated C-UAS solutions. Competes in the same UK and European tenders and shares overlapping defence and critical-infrastructure customer base.
- Echodyne: US-based metamaterials radar specialist and OpenWorks integration partner, supplying radar layered with Vision Guard. Echodyne's MESA radars compete for detection-layer share in the same C-UAS procurements where OpenWorks provides optical tracking.
Broad incumbents
- Anduril Industries: US-based autonomous defence technology company whose Lattice platform and Roadrunner / Bolt products overlap with OpenWorks' AI-driven detection, tracking, and interceptor capability. Anduril competes across a broader portfolio but increasingly targets the same C-UAS programmes as OpenWorks.
- Thales: Global Tier-1 defence prime and OpenWorks' flagship partner for special projects and Vision Pace integration. Thales offers its own C-UAS solutions but also integrates OpenWorks optics into broader multi-sensor architectures, making it both partner and competitor.
- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Israeli defence prime offering Drone Dome C-UAS system with detection radar and soft-kill effectors. Competes with OpenWorks for allied C-UAS procurements, particularly where integrated, prime-led solutions are preferred.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
OpenWorks Engineering social profiles
Digital presenceOpenWorks Engineering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OpenWorks Engineering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
OpenWorks Engineering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OpenWorks Engineering M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OpenWorks Engineering
What does OpenWorks Engineering do?
OpenWorks Engineering designs, manufactures and sells intelligent optical sensor systems and physical net capture systems for counter-UAS (drone), air defence and surveillance applications. Its core Vision-series products (Vision Flex, Vision Pace, Vision Guard) provide AI-powered autonomous detection, identification and tracking of class 1 drones, while its SkyWall products (SkyWall Patrol handheld and SkyWall Auto vehicle-mounted) physically capture hostile drones using smart projectiles. Products are sold directly to defence ministries, military forces, law enforcement and critical infrastructure operators globally.
Is OpenWorks Engineering a public or private company?
OpenWorks Engineering is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was OpenWorks Engineering founded?
OpenWorks Engineering was founded in 2015. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is OpenWorks Engineering based?
OpenWorks Engineering is headquartered in Stocksfield, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does OpenWorks Engineering make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hardware Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are training Services and special Projects & Systems Integration.
Who are OpenWorks Engineering's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DroneShield, Fortem Technologies, Dedrone, Liteye Systems, Robin Radar Systems, Blighter Surveillance Systems and Echodyne. Broad incumbents are Anduril Industries, Thales and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
Does OpenWorks Engineering have an API?
No public API is recorded for OpenWorks Engineering.
What industry is OpenWorks Engineering in?
OpenWorks Engineering's product category is Counter-UAS Defence Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAG, Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense, with a secondary code of IMABAGAK, Counter-UAS Detection Sensors & Integrated Sensor Suites. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.