University tests autonomous drones in NATO challenge

Four university teams from the Netherlands, United Kingdom, United States and Austria tested autonomous drone technology in simulated disaster relief scenarios during a NATO-supported competition in Huntsville, Alabama, from 6 to 10 July, according to a NATO press release.

The event was hosted by the University of Alabama in Huntsville as part of the “SAPIENCE” initiative under NATO’s Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme. It marked the second in a three-part series of competitions designed to explore how autonomous drones working cooperatively can support crisis management.

Unlike the first event, held indoors in London in August 2024, the Huntsville competition took place outdoors and focused on conditions typical of the southeastern United States following severe storms and tornadoes. Teams of seven researchers and professors were tasked with conducting damage assessments, performing search and rescue operations, and delivering medical supplies.

The competition required the drones to operate fully autonomously and in coordination with each other, with teams encouraged to use multiple platforms simultaneously. NATO says the challenge was intended to demonstrate innovative approaches to the technical and operational complexities of autonomous multi-drone systems.

The final SAPIENCE competition is scheduled for 2026 in the Netherlands, combining indoor and outdoor environments to build on lessons from both London and Huntsville. NATO officials say the initiative highlights how academic research can be applied to real-world humanitarian and disaster response challenges.