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Roark have two main business strategies, these are summarised below:
Global Detection Coverage
Since early 2023, Roark have been deploying drone detection equipment in over 2000 locations around the world. We continue to deploy drone detection hardware on a daily basis. The rationale for this is to build out the world’s largest “Drone Detection as a Service” platform. We spotted a gap in the market whereby an end-user deploying their own drone detection equipment required significant CapEx. Our service is a subscription based model that enables near instant access to localised drone detection without the CapEx.
Roark builds the drone detection devices ourselves, these are complete systems covering Rf scanning, FPV fingerprinting, optical sensors and passive radar. We deploy to hosts who are compensated for hosting the equipment.
By being the defacto choice for drone detection services and representing the only non-CapEx option for high level drone detection, we are building not only a significant moat for our business but also setting the path to becoming the first choice for stationery cUAS and also DFR services
As our drone detection devices run on our own OS- Plexus, including the autonomous decision making protocols, we feel that we will be the single choice for operators seeking to extend their drone detection in to counter UAS measures such as jamming, EW & HELS. Again, Roark produce these cUAS devices in house and they too operate on Plexus. This positions Roark and Plexus as the primary choice for layered detection and counter systems globally.
For DFR (Drone First Responder) clients, utilising drones with Plexus is the easiest way to build out a fully connected system in conjunction with our DDaaS.
To validate the business model we have significant private sector clients using the DDaaS model and have recently started contracting to the military and government sectors.
Roark believe that the DDaaS Network and it’s ubiquitous coverage is what will prove to be a major factor in respect of a potential acquisition in the future (and subsequently an investor exit).
Build Fast and Break Stuff
The nature of defence procurement is such that non-prime contractors must be careful not to get stuck in the “valley of death”. This is the time between producing a product and it’s final adoption by a military organisation. Too often, companies will invest significant R&D in to building out a product and then must hope for a large contract to recover the costs. Defence procurement time-frames for large contracts are notoriously slow and as such many businesses fall in to financial troubles.
At Roark we have a different approach to manufacturing and deployment. Our model is to build small batches of multiple products using easily replicated and scalable manufacturing techniques. Predominantly these products are in the cUAS, drone detection and unmanned vehicle space.
Upon production of a small product batch we engage directly with military personnel and provide them with a test batch of the product, typically at regimental or platoon level. We have our products assessed and reviewed by actual end-users and, if the product receives positive feedback we communicate directly with buyers who have discretionary spend (that being spend on products outside of congressional approval). We involve the testing parties in these communications and are then able to obtain small batch orders. When larger contracts arise, we are able to submit proposals from a much stronger position given the product is already operational. As our manufacturing is built around “potential to scale” and “replication” we are able to move from batch to mass production without any re-tooling. This methodology allows us to constantly innovate in line with operational requirements without the sunk costs of mass production whilst also ensuring revenue flows.