Last year, the Swarm Engineer participated in the NCI Agency Defence Innovation Challenge. We presented for the first time an inhouse defence innovation. Our system is a software solution uses machine learning and enhances air traffic surveillance.
We are a team of engineers. Thus, we innovate and build technical solutions. Usually, we help other companies with their product development. The Swarm Engineer is an enabler of innovation. Our focus lies on startups and SME.
However, this challenge was a premiere for the Swarm Engineer. We proposed our first (but not last) inhouse defence innovation. Our solution combines track points in air surveillance and creates vectors. After the initial design thinking work, we created a short pitch. The jury approved our idea, thus, we got selected as a Top Qualifier 2020.
The main event
The NCI Agency invited us on a virtual event in autumn of 2020. During this virtual conference on defence innovation, we got a pitch slot. In front of over 300 virtual guest and a jury of highly qualified professionals, we presented our idea.
Unfortunately, we did not win the competition. However, our idea won! How is this possible? It appears, another team had the same idea. They were also a Top Qualifier. Both teams pitched and the jury chose them.
We take this experience as an important milestone. Our approach got confirmed on the the level of NATO, which is an important indicator. We will continue our work on inhouse defence innovations.
Announcement of the winners here.