● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
Scaleout Systems develops small AI models for autonomous targeting on drones for NATO
Key points
- Scaleout Systems develops small AI models for drones.
- Models enable autonomous target identification and selection.
- Technology runs on drone hardware and forward base computers.
- Company is part of NATO's DIANA Challenge Program.
- Drone used a low-cost loitering munition.
- Drone used an Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano.
- Drone struck a target as part of the ALMA program.
- BAE's Winter Demo 2026 had the drone detecting and geolocating targets.
- Drone ranked an armored engineering vehicle highest.
- Drone completed the full mission in under 320 seconds.
AI for Battlefield Drones
Scaleout Systems, a startup supported by NATO, is creating artificial intelligence models designed to operate on small drones. These models facilitate autonomous target identification and selection for both surveillance and attack operations in military contexts.
The company's focus is on developing leaner AI models, such as those for computer vision tasks, that can function directly on the limited hardware of drones or on computers located at forward operating bases. This approach avoids the need for larger, more resource-intensive AI models.
Company Background and Pivot
Founded in 2018 by researchers from Uppsala University, Scaleout Systems initially concentrated on deploying machine learning models on hardware in commercial vehicles. Following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the company shifted its focus to defense applications.
This pivot was driven by the recognition that their technology for operationalizing edge and sensor data for machine learning could provide a strategic advantage for NATO allies in a changing global landscape.
NATO Involvement
Scaleout Systems was selected to participate in NATO’s Defence Innovator Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) Challenge Program in 2025. Through this program, the company has been working on the Federated Aerial Intelligence for Recon project.
This project specifically aims to adapt machine learning models for the edge computing hardware found in various military devices, including drones, drone pilot tablets, and field command posts.
Updates
- Drone used a low-cost loitering munition.
- Drone used an Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano.
- Drone struck a target as part of the ALMA program.
- BAE's Winter Demo 2026 had the drone detecting and geolocating targets.
- Drone ranked an armored engineering vehicle highest.
- Drone completed the full mission in under 320 seconds.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
The daily brief
One email each morning: the day's tech stories, clustered across outlets and summarized. No account needed.
One email a day. Unsubscribe in one click, any time.
Today's brief
Spend a few minutes, get the whole day. Every topic's top stories in one hands-free rundown — listen, watch, or read the transcript.
▶ Play today's brief
New every morning, and the back catalogue is archived by date.
How outlets covered it
Scaleout Systems, a Swedish AI startup, demonstrated an autonomous strike drone that identified and attacked targets without human input or external communication. The drone used a low-cost loitering munition and an Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano to run an AI model for target detection and engagement, highlighting advancements in edge AI for military applications.
Scaleout Systems, a NATO-backed startup, is developing compact AI models that enable drones to autonomously identify and select targets for surveillance and attack missions. This technology allows AI to run directly on drone hardware and at forward bases, addressing the need for AI capabilities in modern warfare without relying on large frontier models.