The ORIGAMI (drOne swaRm navIgation in Gnss-degraded And non-perMissive envIronments) project is a cutting-edge European Defence Fund (EDF) initiative designed to address the growing need for resilient, autonomous drone systems capable of operating in contested and GNSS-denied environments. In light of recent global conflicts, such as the war in Ukraine, the strategic importance of drones in modern warfare has become increasingly evident. However, these systems are vulnerable to electronic warfare tactics, including GNSS jamming and RF interference, which can severely impair their effectiveness.
ORIGAMI aims to overcome these limitations by developing a robust, modular, and scalable drone swarm system that can navigate, communicate, and execute missions autonomously without relying on external signals. The project integrates advanced technologies such as multi-modal sensor fusion, AI-driven navigation, low-latency communication networks, and decentralized swarm intelligence.
Key objectives include:
- Developing a low-SWaPC (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost) drone platform with modular architecture.
- Enabling GNSS-free navigation through the integration of novel sensors (e.g., VOXEL, event cameras, LiDAR, radar, EO/IR cameras, IMUs).
- Creating a secure, jamming-resistant hybrid mesh communication network using software-defined radios.
- Implementing intelligent, fault-tolerant swarming algorithms based on Behaviour Trees (BTRs).
- Ensuring seamless integration with existing Battle Management Systems (BMS) for operational deployment.
- Validating the system through four iterative evaluation campaigns, progressively increasing complexity and realism.
The ORIGAMI consortium brings together a multidisciplinary team from Belgium, Finland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Norway, including military institutions, academic researchers, SMEs, and mid-cap companies. This collaboration ensures a comprehensive approach to technology development, integration, and operational relevance.