European Commission
European Defence Fund
2025 – 2029
5 M€
Project website
ORIGAMI (drOne swaRm navIgation in Gnss-degraded And nonperMissive envIronments) is a cutting-edge European defence initiative focused on developing autonomous drone swarms that can operate reliably in environments where GPS and radio signals are disrupted or denied.
Why ORIGAMI Matters
Modern defence operations increasingly rely on drones for surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical missions. However, in hostile environments—such as those seen in recent conflicts—traditional drones can be easily jammed or spoofed, making them ineffective. ORIGAMI addresses this challenge by creating drone systems that are:
- Resilient to signal interference
- Capable of autonomous navigation without GPS
- Able to operate collaboratively in swarms
- Designed for rapid deployment and adaptability
Key Innovations
- Multi-sensor navigation: ORIGAMI drones use a combination of advanced sensors—including LiDAR, infrared, radar, and novel ultra-low-latency sensors—to perceive their surroundings and navigate safely.
- Swarm intelligence: Each drone acts as part of a coordinated team, sharing data and adapting to changing mission conditions—even if communication is disrupted.
- Robust communication: The system includes secure, jam-resistant networks that allow drones to communicate with each other and command systems.
- Modular design: Drones are built with interchangeable components, allowing customization for specific missions while keeping size, weight, power, and cost (SWaPC) low.
- Human-friendly control: ORIGAMI integrates with existing military command systems, offering intuitive interfaces for semi-autonomous or fully autonomous operation.
Who’s Involved
The ORIGAMI consortium brings together leading European SMEs, research institutions, and defence organizations from multiple EU countries. It includes experts who have won prestigious international robotics challenges and who are actively shaping the future of drone technology in Europe.
Impact and Vision
ORIGAMI is not just about building better drones—it’s about strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in defence technology. By developing homegrown, interoperable systems, the project supports the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and reduces reliance on non-EU suppliers.
Beyond defence, ORIGAMI’s innovations have potential applications in disaster response, infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring and civilian drone safety.
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Project Publications
2025
- C. Sillero Illanes, T. Rogalski, G. De Cubber, and M. Kowalik, “Case Study of the Drone Ecosystem of Podkarpackie (Poland)," , iss. KJ-01-25-618-EN-N, 2025.
[BibTeX] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [DOI]
This report presents the findings of a review of the Podkarpackie aerial drone and robotics ecosystem, conducted between March 2024 and November 2025 in partnership with the Regional Government of Podkarpackie. The study forms part of REGDUALOSA (Regions, Dual Use, Open Strategic Autonomy), an exploratory initiative of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). It examines policy pathways through which Podkarpackie could strengthen its aerial drone sector as a dual-use industry, thereby enhancing regional competitiveness and contributing to European strategic autonomy. The analysis applies an adapted version of the POINT methodology, combining desk research, expert interviews, and stakeholder consultations. Amid increasing geopolitical instability, the European Commission announced the European Drone Defence Initiative in October 2025, aimed at protecting EU borders and reinforcing defence capabilities under the ReArm Europe initiative, which mobilises up to €800 billion. Bordering Ukraine and hosting a well-established aerospace cluster, Podkarpackie is strategically positioned to advance dual-use innovation. Based on the evidence gathered, the report formulates twelve strategic recommendations to improve governance, funding coordination, SME participation, and skills development. It also introduces the concept of Territorial Preparedness as an innovation policy framework that positions regional ecosystems at the forefront of Europe’s resilience, industrial sovereignty, and long-term security.
@article{JRC143402, number = {KJ-01-25-618-EN-N }, address = {Luxembourg (Luxembourg)}, issn = {1831-9424 }, year = {2025}, author = {Sillero Illanes, C. and Rogalski, T. and De Cubber, G. and Kowalik, M.}, isbn = {978-92-68-34794-2 }, publisher = {Publications Office of the European Union}, abstract = {This report presents the findings of a review of the Podkarpackie aerial drone and robotics ecosystem, conducted between March 2024 and November 2025 in partnership with the Regional Government of Podkarpackie. The study forms part of REGDUALOSA (Regions, Dual Use, Open Strategic Autonomy), an exploratory initiative of the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). It examines policy pathways through which Podkarpackie could strengthen its aerial drone sector as a dual-use industry, thereby enhancing regional competitiveness and contributing to European strategic autonomy. The analysis applies an adapted version of the POINT methodology, combining desk research, expert interviews, and stakeholder consultations. Amid increasing geopolitical instability, the European Commission announced the European Drone Defence Initiative in October 2025, aimed at protecting EU borders and reinforcing defence capabilities under the ReArm Europe initiative, which mobilises up to €800 billion. Bordering Ukraine and hosting a well-established aerospace cluster, Podkarpackie is strategically positioned to advance dual-use innovation. Based on the evidence gathered, the report formulates twelve strategic recommendations to improve governance, funding coordination, SME participation, and skills development. It also introduces the concept of Territorial Preparedness as an innovation policy framework that positions regional ecosystems at the forefront of Europe’s resilience, industrial sovereignty, and long-term security.}, title = {Case Study of the Drone Ecosystem of Podkarpackie (Poland)}, url = {https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/bitstream/JRC143402/JRC143402_01.pdf}, doi = {10.2760/26795}, unit= {meca-ras}, project= {COURAGEOUS, COURAGEOUS2, ORIGAMI} }