Scaleout Systems, a Swedish AI startup spun out of Uppsala University, demonstrated a fully autonomous drone kill chain during BAE Systems Bofors’ ALMA Winter Demo 2026. The company is part of NATO’s DIANA accelerator.
The system carried out the mission using an onboard Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano. It detected and geolocated multiple objects, then ranked an armoured engineering vehicle as the priority target.
How the demonstration worked
After identifying the priority target, the drone autonomously flew toward it and released an explosive. The mission was completed with 0 external communications and without human input beyond pressing a start button.
The demonstration brought several functions together on the aircraft: object detection, geolocation, target prioritisation, autonomous flight and explosive release. These functions formed the complete autonomous kill chain described for the ALMA Winter Demo 2026.
Why the onboard system matters
The Jetson Orin Nano served as the onboard computing platform for the drone’s detection and decision-making tasks. The demonstration showed the system operating without an external communications link during the mission.
The verified demonstration involved Scaleout Systems, BAE Systems Bofors, NATO’s DIANA accelerator and the ALMA programme. The system’s priority target was an armoured engineering vehicle.
Conclusion
Scaleout Systems demonstrated an autonomous drone mission that detected and geolocated objects, selected a priority target, navigated to it and released an explosive without external communications or human input beyond a start button.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What did Scaleout Systems demonstrate?
It demonstrated a fully autonomous drone kill chain during BAE Systems Bofors’ ALMA Winter Demo 2026.
Q. Which computer powered the drone?
The drone used an onboard Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano.
Q. What did the drone detect?
It detected and geolocated multiple objects before ranking an armoured engineering vehicle as the priority target.
Q. Did the drone need external communications?
No. The mission was completed with 0 external communications.
Q. Was a human involved in the mission?
Human input was limited to pressing a start button.
Q. Which accelerator is Scaleout Systems part of?
Scaleout Systems is inside NATO’s DIANA accelerator.
Q. Which programme hosted the demonstration?
The demonstration took place during BAE Systems Bofors’ ALMA Winter Demo 2026.
