AI-powered system fills important air protection hole, providing fast deployment towards loitering munitions and hostile UAVs
Origin Robotics Launches AI-Pushed Interceptor
Riga-based protection startup Origin Robotics has introduced the discharge of BLAZE, an autonomous counter-drone interceptor designed to neutralize quick aerial threats. Developed in response to the rising use of drones in international battle zones, BLAZE affords a cheap choice for contemporary air protection.
“In uneven warfare, drones are comparatively cheap and broadly deployed to overwhelm air defences and strike targets each on the frontline and deep behind it, making it difficult and expensive to counter,” stated Agris Kipurs, CEO and co-founder of Origin Robotics. “We designed BLAZE particularly to deal with this risk—a quick, clever, and cost-effective addition to current air defence programs.”
With the rise of loitering munitions and industrial drone use in warfare—notably in Ukraine—demand for agile, scalable, and low-cost defenses has grown. In January 2025, Russia launched over 2,500 drones into Ukrainian territory, a median of 80 per day. Origin Robotics sees BLAZE as a well timed response to those evolving threats.
Operator-Supervised Autonomy Balances Velocity and Management
BLAZE combines radar detection and AI-powered laptop imaginative and prescient to autonomously detect, observe, and lock onto airborne targets. Whereas the system handles a lot of the operation by itself, it nonetheless requires operator affirmation earlier than partaking a risk. This reduces the danger of pleasant fireplace and permits for higher decision-making in complicated environments.
The interceptor carries a high-explosive (HE) fragmentation warhead. As soon as a goal is confirmed, BLAZE can both strike straight or detonate mid-air for wider space protection. The operator additionally retains a wave-off choice, permitting BLAZE to abort and both return or self-destruct safely.
This hybrid strategy of automation with human oversight ensures flexibility in cluttered radar environments and improves security for allied personnel and civilians.
Designed for Quick Deployment and Tactical Flexibility
Portability and velocity are key options of BLAZE. The system is man-portable, and its carry case doubles as each a launch station and charging dock. The primary drone might be deployed in beneath 5 minutes, with every extra launch taking lower than one minute.
A tool-free setup permits groups to be operational inside ten minutes, making BLAZE well-suited for fast-moving or high-intensity missions.
BLAZE is designed to be scalable and cost-efficient, permitting militaries to deploy the expertise broadly with out the expense of missile-based programs.
Backed by Battlefield Expertise and European Protection Assist
BLAZE builds on Origin Robotics’ earlier success with its BEAK system, already in use by the Latvian and Ukrainian Armed Forces. BEAK’s deployment has earned the corporate recognition and belief, resulting in a analysis and growth contract from the Latvian Ministry of Defence and assist from the European Defence Fund.
Origin Robotics was based in response to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Its management, together with Kipurs and co-founder Ilya Nevdah, brings many years of expertise from the industrial drone sector into the protection house. The corporate makes a speciality of turning typical munitions into sensible weapons utilizing AI and superior software program.
With the introduction of BLAZE, Origin Robotics goals to increase its affect on trendy protection methods whereas sustaining affordability and operational agility.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory atmosphere for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, Electronic mail Miriam.
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