ZenaTech's ZenaDrone Commences Development of IQ Glider, an Autonomous Marine Drone Launch and Refueling Station for the ZenaDrone 2000 Intercept Drone
MWN-AI** Summary
ZenaTech, Inc., a technology solutions provider focusing on AI drones and advanced computing, has announced the development of the IQ Glider, an autonomous marine drone launch and refueling station designed to enhance the operational capabilities of its ZenaDrone 2000 Maritime Interceptor system. This innovative system allows for continuous multi-drone operations directly from naval vessels, extending engagement times and significantly improving maritime defense without reliance on shore infrastructure.
CEO Shaun Passley emphasized that the introduction of the IQ Glider represents a paradigm shift in maritime drone defense, aiming to replace expensive missile-based interception methods with a cost-effective drone-to-drone strategy. This solution is particularly relevant against the backdrop of modern warfare economics, where using high-cost missiles to counter relatively inexpensive drones is becoming unsustainable.
The ZenaDrone 2000, currently in the prototyping phase, is designed to detect and intercept aerial threats, with the IQ Glider providing the necessary support infrastructure for seamless drone operations at sea. The interplay between these two systems promises to offer naval forces a scalable defense mechanism that prioritizes sustained operational presence and responsiveness to swarm threats.
ZenaTech’s autonomous capabilities are poised for significant interest from the U.S. Navy, NATO, and Gulf Cooperation Council defense initiatives, as well as U.S. Coast Guard modernization efforts. By ensuring that the drones can launch, land, refuel, and redeploy continuously, the IQ Glider aims to solve the traditional limitations of maritime drone operations. Both the IQ Glider and ZenaDrone 2000 are being developed concurrently, with updates on their progress expected to be announced in the near future.
MWN-AI** Analysis
ZenaTech’s recent announcement of the development of the IQ Glider marks a significant strategic advancement in the realm of autonomous maritime defense technology. The IQ Glider, an autonomous launch and refueling station for the ZenaDrone 2000, is poised to revolutionize how naval forces manage drone operations at sea, addressing the crucial issue of operational endurance. Given current geopolitical tensions and the increasing threats posed by unmanned aerial systems, the need for innovative defense solutions has never been more pronounced.
Investors should view this development with cautious optimism. The integrated system of the ZenaDrone 2000 and the IQ Glider offers a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based defense systems, potentially transforming the economics of drone warfare. By reducing reliance on costly missile interceptors, which can exceed $1 million per deployment against drones valued at a fraction, ZenaTech could capture a significant share of the burgeoning defense market.
Furthermore, the tech’s emphasis on endurance and continuous coverage is particularly appealing in the context of rising threats from drone swarms, a concern for NATO and U.S. Navy forces alike. This aligns with global defense modernization efforts, particularly in regions like the Gulf Cooperation Council, which have been actively pursuing enhanced maritime security measures.
However, potential investors should remain aware of the inherent risks and the company's developmental timelines. The ZenaDrone 2000 is still in the prototype stage, with expected testing later this year, while the IQ Glider is being developed concurrently. Market conditions are volatile, and successful execution on these projects is critical to realizing the full value inherent in ZenaTech’s vision.
In summary, while ZenaTech presents promising growth prospects through innovative technology, careful monitoring of development progress and market reception will be essential for investors considering positions in ZENA stock.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 10, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) ("ZenaTech"), a technology solution provider specializing in AI (Artificial Intelligence) drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS, and Quantum Computing solutions, announces it has commenced development of the IQ Glider, an autonomous marine-based drone launch and refueling station. The IQ Glider is designed to extend the operational endurance of the company’s ZenaDrone 2000 Maritime Interceptor defense system, which enables continuous multi-drone intercept operations without requiring shore infrastructure or missile-based counter measures. The initiation of the IQ Glider technology follows the company’s recent announcement of the development of a prototype for the ZenaDrone 2000, a cost-effective, gas-powered sea-launched drone interceptor designed to detect and intercept multiple incoming unmanned aerial threats.
“The ZenaDrone 2000 changes the economics of maritime drone defense, but economics alone doesn’t win engagements, endurance does,” said Shaun Passley, ZenaTech CEO. “A drone interceptor required to return to port after a single run isn’t a true defense system. Our new developmental, autonomous system, the IQ Glider, is designed to keep these drones operating continuously by enabling launch, recovery, and refueling directly from vessels at sea. Together, the ZenaDrone 2000 and the IQ Glider will create a scalable, cost-effective defense solution that allows naval forces to respond to drone swarm threats with persistent coverage rather than costly missile-based interception.”
The strategic and economic case for the combined IQ Glider platform and ZenaDrone 2000 drone system rests on the clear cost imbalance in modern maritime drone warfare. The Company believes that Naval forces that are using interceptor missiles costing up to $1 million or more to destroy drones worth about $50,000 represents an unsustainable model, especially against continuous swarm attacks that strain both budgets and missile capacity. The company’s integrated systems are designed to address this problem at scale with a persistent, autonomous, ship-based capability that counters “drones with drones” built at a fraction of missile costs. This air defense system is well positioned for future U.S. Navy, NATO, and Gulf Coordination Council defense programs, and Coast Guard modernization efforts seeking scalable maritime air defense.
Sustained operational presence has historically limited maritime drone defense due to individual drones that can only remain airborne for a finite period before requiring fuel or maintenance. The IQ Glider is designed to solve this challenge, providing a platform for ZenaDrone 2000 drones to launch, land, refuel, and redeploy in coordinated rotations directly from naval vessels. ZenaTech’s management believes this relay-style approach enables continuous coverage over ships and surrounding maritime zones during extended missions.
Both the IQ Glider and the ZenaDrone 2000 Maritime Interceptor are currently in active development. The ZenaDrone 2000 prototype is at the design and development stage, with testing expected before the end of the year. The IQ Glider is being developed in parallel as the dedicated launch and refueling infrastructure for ZenaDrone 2000 fleet operations. ZenaTech will provide updates on combined system development milestones, prototype testing timelines, and defense customer engagement as they are achieved.
About ZenaTech
ZenaTech (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) is a technology company specializing in AI drone, Drone as a Service (DaaS), enterprise SaaS and Quantum Computing solutions for mission-critical applications for business, government and defense. Since 2017, the Company has leveraged its software development expertise and grown its drone design and manufacturing capabilities through ZenaDrone, to innovate and improve customer inspection, monitoring, safety, security, compliance, and surveying processes. With enterprise software customers using branded solutions in law enforcement, government, and industrial sectors, and drones being implemented in these plus agriculture, defense, and logistics sectors, ZenaTech’s portfolio of solutions helps drive speed, accuracy, and cost savings. The Company operates through global offices in North America, Europe, Taiwan, and UAE, and is growing its DaaS business and global network of locations through acquisitions.
About ZenaDrone
ZenaDrone, a wholly owned subsidiary of ZenaTech, develops and manufactures autonomous drone solutions that can incorporate machine learning software, AI, predictive modeling, Quantum Computing, and other software and hardware innovations. Created to revolutionize the hemp farming sector, its specialization has grown to multifunctional drone solutions for surveying, monitoring, inspection, tracking, process automation, and defense applications.
Currently, the ZenaDrone 1000 drone is used for crop management applications and critical field cargo applications in the defense sector, the IQ Nano indoor drone is used for inventory management and security in the warehouse and logistics sectors, the IQ Square is an outdoor drone designed for power washing and inspections use in commercial and government sectors, and the IQ Quad is for land surveys.
Contacts for more information:
Company, Investors, and Media:
Linda Montgomery
ZenaTech
312-241-1415
investors@zenatech.com
Investors:
Michael Mason
CORE IR
investors@zenatech.com
Safe Harbor
This press release and related comments by management of ZenaTech, Inc. include “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws and applicable Canadian securities laws. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This forward-looking information relates to future events or future performance of ZenaTech and reflects management’s expectations and projections regarding ZenaTech’s growth, results of operations, performance, and business prospects and opportunities. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “aim”, “seek”, “is/are likely to”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information in this document includes, but is not limited to ZenaTech’s expectations regarding its revenue, expenses, production, operations, costs, cash flows, and future growth; expectations with respect to future production costs and capacity; ZenaTech's ability to deliver products to the market as currently contemplated, including its drone products including ZenaDrone 1000, IQ Square and IQ Nano; ZenaTech's ability to develop products for markets as currently contemplated; ZenaTech’s anticipated cash needs and it’s needs for additional financing; ZenaTech’s intention to grow the business and its operations and execution risk; expectations with respect to future operations and costs; the volatility of stock prices and market conditions in the industries in which ZenaTech operates; political, economic, environmental, tax, security, and other risks associated with operating in emerging markets; regulatory risks; unfavorable publicity or consumer perception; difficulty in forecasting industry trends; the ability to hire key personnel; the competitive conditions of the industry and the competitive and business strategies of ZenaTech; ZenaTech’s expected business objectives for the next twelve months; ZenaTech’s ability to obtain additional funds through the sale of equity or debt commitments; investment capital and market share; the ability to complete any contemplated acquisitions; changes in the target markets; market uncertainty; ability to access additional capital, including through the listing of its securities in various jurisdictions; management of growth (plans and timing for expansion); patent infringement; litigation; applicable laws, regulations, and any amendments affecting the business of ZenaTech and other related risks ???and uncertainties disclosed under the ?heading “Risk Factors“ ????in the Company’s Form F-1, Form 20-F and other filings filed ???with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on EDGAR through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes ???no obligation to update forward-?looking ????information except as required by applicable law. Such forward-???looking information represents ?????managements’ best judgment based on information currently available. ???No forward-looking ????statement ?can be guaranteed and actual future results may vary materially. ???Accordingly, readers ????are advised not to ?place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or ???information.?
FAQ**
How does ZenaTech Inc. ZENA plan to differentiate its IQ Glider and ZenaDrone 2000 technology from existing maritime defense systems in terms of operational endurance and cost-effectiveness?
What are the projected timelines for prototype testing of the ZenaDrone 2000, and how does ZenaTech Inc. ZENA intend to address risks associated with the development of the IQ Glider and associated technologies?
In what ways does ZenaTech Inc. ZENA foresee the integration of its AI capabilities and Quantum Computing solutions enhancing the effectiveness of the ZenaDrone 2000 in responding to modern drone swarm threats?
What potential partnerships or collaborations does ZenaTech Inc. ZENA envision pursuing with U.S. Navy, NATO, or Gulf Coordination Council entities for implementing the IQ Glider and ZenaDrone 2000 technologies?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about ZenaTech Inc. (NASDAQ: ZENA).
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