Breaking: We Made It! NATO Innovation Challenge. 162 Submissions, 12 Finalists.
Top 12 Innovator from 162 Submissions in NATO Innovation Challenge
Countering FPV drones.
The numbers tell the story: 162 submissions to NATO's Innovation Challenge focused on countering fibre-optic-controlled FPV drones - the highest submission count in NATO Innovation Challenge history. And Seraphim Defence Systems made it to the finals as one of only 12 selected solutions.
Why This Matters
NATO is pushing the pace of innovation, pairing combat insight with Allied know-how to deliver rapid, relevant solutions with purpose, urgency, and direct warfighter input.
The NATO Innovation Challenge, hosted by Allied Command Transformation (ACT), Joint Analysis, Training And Education Centre (JATEC), supported by the NATO CCDCOE (NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence), transforms bold ideas into battlefield-ready solutions.
This June's Challenge in Tallinn, Estonia, addresses one of the most urgent problems facing modern forces: fibre-optic-controlled FPV drones that evade traditional jamming. The unprecedented attention - 162 submissions including 42 from Ukrainian innovators - proves just how critical this challenge has become.
MACS: Built for the Battlefield
Months ago, we started developing MACS (Mobile Autonomous Counter-UAV System), anticipating one of the most urgent challenges on the modern battlefield: FPV kamikaze drones. Not just typical ones, but especially fibre-optic-controlled and AI-driven variants that easily evade traditional jamming methods.
MACS is designed as a fast-deployable, fully autonomous, active protection system (APS) for tanks, APCs, and other vehicles - at a fraction of the cost of the high-value assets it defends.
Frontline Validation
What makes this recognition even more meaningful? For the first time, Ukrainian combat officers joined the NATO jury, bringing frontline insight into the innovation process. They understand better than anyone that when traditional countermeasures fail, lives are on the line.
Their involvement validates what we've known from day one: this isn't just about technology - it's about saving lives.
From Innovation to Impact
Being selected as a NATO Innovation Challenge finalist validates not just our technology, but our mission. As NATO continues its commitment to collaborative, agile capability development, MACS represents the kind of rapid, relevant solution that can make the difference between life and death on the modern battlefield.
One mission: protecting those who protect us.
More info on the challenge here:
The Innovation Hub for Allied Command Transformation
NATO launches innovation challenge to counter fibre-optic FPV drones
NATO Innovation Challenge – Combat Fiber-Optic Drones