RIGA, Latvia (May 6, 2025) – Defence tech startup Origin Robotics has launched BLAZE, an autonomous counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) interceptor designed to neutralize fast-moving aerial threats with precision and speed. As drones become an increasingly dominant force on the modern battlefield, BLAZE offers a cost-effective solution to counter them, filling the gap between traditional gun-based air defence and high-cost missile interceptors. The interceptor is aimed to strengthen the defence capabilities of European countries amid rising threats and geopolitical uncertainty.
Drones have reshaped modern warfare, dictating battlefield strategies and shifting the balance of power. Their widespread use, particularly in Ukraine, has demonstrated both their effectiveness and the high cost of countering them. In January 2025 alone, Russia launched over 2,500 drones into Ukrainian territory – an average of 80 drones per day. This escalation underscores the urgent need for advanced yet cost-efficient air defence solutions.
Agris Kipurs, CEO and co-founder of Origin Robotics, said, “In asymmetric warfare, drones are relatively inexpensive and widely deployed to overwhelm air defenses and strike targets both at the frontline and deep behind it, making it challenging and costly to counter. We designed BLAZE specifically to address this threat—a fast, intelligent, and cost-effective addition to existing air defense systems. We remain committed to delivering cost-efficient and adaptable solutions to support Europe and NATO allies in addressing existing and future security challenges.”
BLAZE is a man-portable, rapidly deployable interceptor designed to defeat fast-moving aerial threats, including loitering munitions and hostile UAVs. The system combines radar-based detection with AI-powered computer vision, delivering autonomous target acquisition and operator-approved interception. Equipped with a high-explosive (HE) fragmentation warhead, it ensures precise and effective threat elimination, even in contested environments.
The system autonomously detects, acquires, and locks onto targets using a combination of radar tracking and AI-powered computer vision. Upon operator confirmation, the system executes a precisely calculated attack—either destroying the target on direct impact or engaging it with an airburst fragmentation detonation. BLAZE delivers high mobility, scalability, and cost-efficiency for modern armed forces.
As an operator-supervised autonomous system, it ensures the operator retains final-stage control, including the ability to issue a wave-off command that directs the BLAZE to either return safely or self-destruct. This capability allows immediate deployment even in scenarios with uncertain target identification, significantly reducing the risks of friendly fire and minimizing collateral damage.
The interceptor is designed for quick deployment and high-intensity operations. The first drone can be launched in under five minutes, with subsequent launches taking less than a minute. Compact and portable, BLAZE’s transport case doubles as a launch station and charging dock. Its tool-less setup ensures it is flight-ready in under ten minutes.
Following the battlefield-proven success of its flagship drone system, BEAK, currently deployed by the Ukrainian and Latvian Armed Forces, Origin Robotics continues to develop scalable, next-generation technologies for modern warfare. Thanks to BEAK’s rapid deployment and proven capabilities, Origin has quickly earned recognition for its technology and built trust in its autonomous aerial systems—reflected in an R&D contract from the Latvian Ministry of Defence and a grant from the European Defence Fund.
