ORIGIN BLAZE

History

ORIGIN BLAZE is a Latvian-developed autonomous interceptor unmanned aerial vehicle intended to destroy hostile airborne targets, particularly drones and loitering munitions. The system combines external radar cueing with onboard sensors and computer vision while retaining an operator in the engagement decision loop.

BLAZE was publicly launched in May 2025 and was subsequently displayed by Latvia-based Origin Robotics at DSEI UK 2025. By 2026, the interceptor had entered procurement by several European NATO countries and received NATO codification.

At MSPO 2026 in Kielce, Poland, ORIGIN and Poland's Military Institute of Armament Technology, WITU, presented an updated BLAZE configuration with a purpose-designed 700 g directional fragmentation warhead and an electronic safe-and-arm system.

Development and introduction

Origin Robotics developed BLAZE in Latvia as a man-portable counter-UAS interceptor. According to EDR Magazine, the system had been launched in May 2025 before being shown at DSEI UK in October that year. The displayed interceptor weighed under 6 kg, could be prepared for launch in less than 10 minutes, and was described as having an engagement range exceeding 10 km.

The 2025 configuration carried an 800 g high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Origin Robotics also described a three-level safety architecture and a STANAG-compliant electronic safe-and-arm device. The interceptor could maintain an operator uplink resistant to radio-frequency jamming and allowed the operator to abort an engagement.

Mass production reportedly began in December 2025. According to AdriaDefense, Latvia, Estonia and Belgium began receiving initial BLAZE batches in January 2026.

France selected BLAZE in June 2026 after a competitive assessment involving several counter-drone systems. The procurement included plans for French assembly and manufacturing through DSV under a technology-transfer arrangement with ORIGIN. The Defense Post reported that initial French systems were expected within weeks of the selection, followed by operator training.

The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia described the French decision as an international milestone for the Latvian-developed system and stated that France would join Latvia, Belgium and Estonia as a BLAZE user. Its description also identified BLAZE as NATO-codified and designed for NATO interoperability. This information was published through the agency's official account.

MSPO 2026 warhead configuration

On September 8, 2026, ORIGIN and WITU unveiled an updated BLAZE configuration at MSPO 2026. WITU developed a new 700 g directional fragmentation warhead specifically for the interceptor rather than adapting an existing munition. The module directs a concentrated field of steel fragments toward an aerial target.

The updated module combines the explosive charge, fragmentation package, electronically controlled fuze and mechanical safety mechanisms. WITU also developed an Electronic Safe and Arm Device that controls when the warhead can become armed. The warhead remains safe until predefined flight conditions are satisfied and can be returned repeatedly to a safe state during flight.

If an engagement is cancelled, the system can disarm the warhead so that BLAZE can return and land. Oboronka reported that the updated warhead received a NATO nomenclature number and that ORIGIN described BLAZE as the first NATO-codified autonomous interceptor drone equipped with a STANAG-compliant warhead module.

Design

Airframe and propulsion

BLAZE uses a near-cylindrical airframe arranged for vertical takeoff. Four rear surfaces allow the interceptor to stand vertically before launch. Four additional wings are positioned around the fuselage, with electric-motor pods at their tips driving three-blade propellers. The propellers provide vertical lift during takeoff. The aircraft then rotates into horizontal flight, where the propulsion system provides forward thrust and the wings generate aerodynamic lift.

Guidance and target engagement

BLAZE receives target information from an external radar or a wider counter-UAS sensor network. Radar data is passed to the onboard autopilot for autonomous navigation toward the target area. The system then uses onboard electro-optical and infrared sensors together with computer-vision processing for target acquisition, identification and tracking.

After the target is acquired, an operator remains responsible for confirming the engagement. The interceptor then calculates and follows an interception path. The system can neutralize a target through direct impact or by detonating its fragmentation warhead near the target.

BLAZE has also been demonstrated using radar cueing while maneuvering without dependence on Global Navigation Satellite System services. Its communications architecture includes mesh-network capability, allowing multiple interceptors to be coordinated against multiple threats. The system is designed for integration into existing air-defense architectures.

Safety systems

The interceptor incorporates multiple safety measures intended to prevent unintended warhead activation. In the updated WITU configuration, the explosive charge, fuze, fragmentation package and safety mechanisms are integrated into a single module controlled by the Electronic Safe and Arm Device.

The design allows an engagement to be aborted while the aircraft is already airborne. The warhead can then return to a safe condition and the interceptor can fly back to the launch area. AdriaDefense reported that during a November 2025 demonstration in Latvia, BLAZE performed four near-miss engagements in which interception was aborted approximately 20 m from the target before the aircraft returned.

Operational history

Latvia was the first country reported to have ordered and received BLAZE. Estonia and Belgium subsequently acquired the interceptor, and France selected it in June 2026. By September 2026, the system was being presented as an operationally fielded European counter-UAS interceptor rather than only a demonstration program.

AdriaDefense additionally reported that Sweden began receiving BLAZE interceptors in March 2026, citing information attributed to Janes. This differs from later Latvian and French reporting that described France as the fourth European NATO member state to deploy BLAZE after Latvia, Belgium and Estonia. Public sources therefore provide inconsistent accounts of Sweden's status.

Variants

• BLAZE 2025 configuration: Publicly displayed configuration reported with an 800 g high-explosive fragmentation warhead and a three-level safety system.
• BLAZE 2026 WITU-warhead configuration: Updated configuration unveiled at MSPO 2026 with a 700 g directional fragmentation warhead and Electronic Safe and Arm Device developed specifically for BLAZE by WITU.

Operators

• Latvia: First country reported to have ordered and received BLAZE.
• Estonia: Initial batches were reported as being delivered from January 2026.
• Belgium: Initial batches were reported as being delivered from January 2026.
• France: Selected BLAZE in June 2026 after a multi-supplier evaluation, with plans for local assembly and manufacturing through DSV.

Specifications (BLAZE 2026 WITU-warhead configuration)

General characteristics

• Type: Autonomous counter-UAS interceptor UAV
• Launch method: Vertical takeoff
• Propulsion: Four electrically driven propellers
• Primary target set: Airborne threats including unmanned aircraft and loitering munitions

Guidance and control

• Initial guidance: External radar data supplied to the onboard autopilot
• Terminal acquisition: Onboard electro-optical and infrared sensors with computer-vision processing
• Engagement control: Operator confirmation retained before target engagement
• Abort capability: Engagement can be cancelled, allowing the warhead to return to a safe state and the aircraft to return

Armament

• Warhead: 700 g directional fragmentation warhead developed by WITU
• Fragmentation: Concentrated field of steel fragments directed toward the target
• Safety system: Electronic Safe and Arm Device with mechanical and software-controlled safety functions
• Codification: Warhead module reported to carry a NATO Stock Number and to comply with applicable STANAG requirements