Blue Arrow, Orqa, and KEF Robotics Partner on Autonomous Drone Operations
PITTSBURGH, Pa., and OSIJEK, Croatia, September 2026: Orqa drones took flight in late August, using Blue Arrow’s “RII” fleet management and KEF Robotics Tailwind™ GPS-denied technology at a Watchtower demo in Fort McClellan, Alabama. Personnel from the 1st Special Forces Command and the 20th Special Forces Group observed the successful demonstration under electronic warfare conditions.
The collaboration showed the value of a Modular Open Systems Approach, or MOSA. Rather than creating a closed system dependent on a single vendor, it demonstrated that integrating specialised technologies from different organisations through adaptable interfaces allows capabilities and payloads to evolve with the mission, creating a far more effective system.
“Modern unmanned systems must be modular, interoperable and capable of adapting as quickly as operational requirements change,” said Srđan Kovačević, CEO of Orqa. “This partnership shows how complementary technologies can come together without locking the customer into a single proprietary system.”
Blue Arrow began working with Orqa as it established its Developer Program (https://developer.orqafpv.com/), where qualified novel solutions can enter a hardware integration pipeline. The Developer Program aims to engage with novel solutions to optimize for Orqa’s global fleet. Orqa’s technology stack is known for quality and consistency – and for the elimination of reliance on the Chinese supply chain.
This stack now includes Orqa’s Auto Pilot Board or APB. The APB combines a flight controller and an on-board compute unit on a single board, rather than integrating a separate computer. This simplifies mass production of AI-enabled hardware and increases consistency across autonomous behaviors. Using the APB also reduces the system's overall SWaP (size, weight, and power). When Blue Arrow joined the program, its solution was a prototype requiring externally integrated hardware. Now it will become a streamlined solution offered as an enhanced combined package with drones using Orqa’s APB.
Headquartered in Croatia, Orqa has shaped its approach to defense out of necessity. Its products began to see use in Ukraine in 2022 and 2023, and it now supplies FPV systems and components to more than 50 countries. This approach to global reach is highlighted by its Global Manufacturing Licensing Partnership program, which provides sovereign defense production capability to allied countries, growing the industrial base for drones. By working with Orqa, Blue Arrow will quickly offer its combat-validated solution to this global customer base.
“Ukraine has demonstrated that no single company can address every requirement of modern drone warfare,” said Sergii Tereshchenko, CEO of Blue Arrow Defense. “Our work with Orqa allows us to test and improve under contested conditions. Together with KEF, we can bring those lessons and field-tested capabilities to U.S. and allied warfighters.”
1SF warfighters jam GPS and C2 link as Orqa drones, enabled by Tailwind and RII continue on their mission.
About the demonstration and warfighter training
During the Watchtower drone competition at Fort McClellan, the integrated system completed an ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) mission and a multi-aircraft payload-delivery mission under electronic warfare conditions. Limitless Aeronautics (https://www.limitless-aero.com/) supplied the advanced payload-release mechanisms used during the demonstration.
“GPS jamming and spoofing are operational realities,” said Fraser Kitchell, CEO of KEF Robotics. “Combining KEF’s navigation technology with Orqa’s aircraft and Blue Arrow’s experience in Ukraine creates a more adaptable and resilient system.”
The partners will continue working together in Ukraine and the United States, expanding the integration across additional aircraft and payloads. Their goal is to shorten the path from frontline requirement to fielded capability by connecting Orqa’s global manufacturing reach with rapid integration, open architecture and testing in real-world contested environments.
Orqa's MRM2-10 armed with Limitless Aeronotics Droppers
About Orqa
Orqa is Europe’s leading drone technology company, designing and manufacturing advanced FPV and unmanned aerial systems in its Croatia and US HQ’s and through multiple licensed manufacturing partners. Its fully vertically integrated operations, from design to production, enable complete supply chain independence and performance optimization competitors cannot match. Orqa delivers drone systems and components to over 50 countries worldwide.
About KEF Robotics
KEF Robotics develops advanced autonomy and navigation software for unmanned aircraft operating in GPS-denied and contested environments. Its Tailwind™ solution uses onboard sensors and computer vision to provide reliable navigation without dependence on GPS or external infrastructure. KEF’s technology has been integrated across a range of fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft.
About Blue Arrow Defense
Blue Arrow Defense develops software for autonomous multi-drone operations. Its RII platform combines fleet command and control with onboard autonomy, enabling a single operator to coordinate multiple distributed unmanned aircraft simultaneously. Blue Arrow’s capabilities include multi-platform mission management, remote operations, resilient communications, and the integration of advanced navigation and mission systems.