Drones have become a cheap and integral part of modern warfare. The malicious use of small drones, in Ukraine but also in other instances, such as recent airspace incursions near the Alliance borders, underscores the importance to counter the increasing threat. Detecting and identifying them reliably requires combining information from many different sensors, including radar, radio-frequency detectors, cameras, and acoustic systems. Turning this complex and fragmented data into a clear operational picture remains a major technical challenge.
Building on extensive NATO experimentation and exercises conducted across Europe in recent years, NCIA will make real operational data available to challenge participants. Competitors will be tasked with developing an AI-enabled solution that can create a single, coherent air picture from multiple sensor inputs, enabling faster and more reliable decision-making.
The challenge is now open with a total prize fund of €100,000 awarded to the top three solutions, and will be distributed across 1st (€45,000), 2nd (€35,000) and 3rd (€20,000) place. The winners will be announced in February 2027. More information is available here.
By engaging academia and industry, NATO aims to accelerate innovation, strengthen interoperability, and advance cutting-edge technologies that enhance the Alliance’s ability to protect its people, assets, and missions against evolving drone threats.