Latvian defense startup Origin Robotics has unveiled the Blaze autonomous kamikaze drone, which can detect, track, and destroy enemy drones in flight.
Latvian defense startup Origin Robotics has unveiled the Blaze autonomous kamikaze drone, which can detect, track, and destroy enemy drones in flight.
The Baltic Sentinel notes that Blaze uses machine vision and radar tracking to precisely engage targets and can be deployed in less than a minute from a compact, suitcase-sized launcher. A similar feature is provided by Israeli Spear unmanned missiles, including the Ninox family.
Blaze is equipped with a wave retreat feature that allows it to safely return or self-destruct if necessary to minimize the risk of false positives and collateral damage. The company claims that operators retain control of the drone until the very end, despite its autonomous capabilities. It does not require highly skilled operators and can be deployed in significant numbers with minimal logistical burden.
Origin Robotics claims that Blaze is a «revolutionary drone for NATO forces» — a cost-effective drone that fills the gap between traditional anti-aircraft guns and expensive missile systems.
«The demand for systems like Blaze is directly related to real operational needs that are emerging right now», — said Agris Kipurs, CEO and co-founder of Origin Robotics. He added that the company plans to offer the Blaze unmanned system to NATO armies across Europe.
Unlike traditional air defense systems, Blaze is at least ten times cheaper than enemy drones, which it effectively neutralizes thanks to its built-in warhead.
The company is considering Ukraine as a potential customer for Blaze due to the active use of drones with explosive parts in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. It is noted that the startup’s flagship drone BEAK is already actively used by the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
According to Origin Robotics CEO, the drone is specifically designed to combat enemy drones, as seen during Russia’s war against Ukraine. «We designed Blaze specifically to combat this threat, as it provides a fast and intelligent addition to existing air defense systems», — Kipur said.
Recall that in early spring, the Ukrainian manufacturer of combat FPV drones «Wild Hornets» showed a new serial interceptor drone «Werewolf». The company calls it the «younger brother» of the Sting drone, which hunts Shahed.
