KEF Robotics Norway and Blue Arrow Win SPRIN-D Grant to Advance Autonomous Flight in Collaboration with German Government
Oslo, Norway, KEF Robotics Norway AS, a leader in vision-based navigation for autonomous systems, and Blue Arrow Defense, Inc, its sister company focused on contested autonomy, are proud to announce that they have been selected to take part in the SPRIND “Fully Autonomous Flight 2.0” challenge.
SPRIND’s Fully Autonomous Flight 2.0 challenge focuses on Last Mile Delivery and Search and Rescue for unmanned aircraft in GNSS-denied environments. The KEF Robotics and Blue Arrow team will address both missions, with development taking place in Norway and Ukraine.
The selected concept combines KEF’s mature Tailwind autonomy stack – featuring vision-based terrain-relative navigation (TRN), visual-inertial odometry (VIO), and onboard hazard detection – with Blue Arrow’s scalable multi-UAV fleet management and autonomy system. Enabling aircraft to complete complex missions completely without human intervention, even in GNSS-denied environments.
“This challenge is a unique opportunity to demonstrate resilient autonomy in the real world. Even in civilian drone operations, GPS isn’t always an option,” said Paul Erik Frivold, Director of Engineering at KEF Robotics, Norway. “With SPRIND’s support, we’re helping Europe and its partners move toward aircraft that can operate safely and intelligently, even in the toughest conditions.”
Sergii Tereshchenko, CEO of Blue Arrow, added: “Our autonomy software is built for urgent wartime needs but also aids in first responder missions. SPRIND's support helps us develop technology that bolsters Ukraine’s defense innovation ecosystem while preparing it for wider European applications.”
Paul Frivold, Engineering Director for European Operations at KEF Robotics Norway AS and Maryna Tymchenko, Director of Business Development and Operations at Blue Arrow presenting the proposed project to SPRIN-D in Germany.
About KEF Robotics
KEF Robotics provides robust navigation software that enables unmanned aircraft to operate without GPS or communications. Our computer vision algorithms unlock real autonomy across diverse platforms, extending mission reach, reliability, and survivability in contested airspace.
About Blue Arrow
Blue Arrow is building the first drone operating system that is jam-proof and fully autonomous. Our mission is to design seamlessly integratable hardware and software capable of locating, identifying, tracking, and neutralizing targets—delivering life-saving capabilities on the battlefield.
About SPRIN-D
SPRIND is the German Federal Agency for Breakthrough Innovation. It funds and supports bold, high-risk innovation projects with the potential to generate long-term technological breakthroughs that benefit society.