May 6, 2025
Ukraine and NATO are collaborating to bolster efforts against fiber-optic FPV drones, the Ministry of Defense said on May 6.
The NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training, and Education Center (JATEC), in collaboration with NATO’s Allied Command Transformation (ACT), has announced the upcoming NATO Innovation Challenge, which will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, on June 20. The event invites participants from the defense industries of NATO member states and Ukraine, with a deadline for applications set for May 30.
The key areas for development include detection and prioritization systems (radar, optical, acoustic, thermal, and hybrid), fast and accurate tracking of high-speed targets, and kinetic and non-kinetic attack systems (including directed energy and networks).
The focus is on the detection, guidance, tracking, and neutralization of FPV (first-person view) drones.
The criteria for proposed solutions include:
- Detection range of up to 500 meters
- Capability to operate in both day and night conditions, including adverse weather
- Lightweight (under 100 kg)
- Cost-effective solutions (under $100,000)
Initial applications will be considered from organizations headquartered in NATO member states, with teams requiring citizenship from these countries. Ukrainian organizations are welcome to participate, and their proposals will be evaluated for later stages of the competition.
Finalists will be announced on June 5, with the presentation of selected solutions taking place in Tallinn on June 20.