Technology companies, startups and defence industry actors now have the opportunity to participate in NATO operational experimentation, as the open call for the Layered Counter‑UAS Initiative (LCI‑X) Crucible 2‑26 is underway.
Business Turku, as a member of Borderland Europe, is part of the NATO Innovation Range collaboration, where the experimentation campaign taking place in June 2026 brings together NATO Allied Command Transformation, Allied Nations and leading international innovators in Finland and Latvia.
The objective is to develop and evaluate new technologies in a real operational environment, strengthening Allied capabilities particularly in the field of Counter‑UAS.
Seeking solutions to key capability gaps
The call is open to organisations with Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 or higher, offering solutions in the following areas.
- Counter‑UAS detection and sensor fusion
- AI‑enabled command and control & situational awareness
- Resilient connectivity in contested environments
- Unmanned system integration
Selected companies will gain a unique opportunity to test their technologies in practice and demonstrate performance in a NATO experimentation environment.
Direct access to international partners and funding pathways
Participants will present their solutions directly to NATO, the Finnish Defence Forces, and Allied defence and acquisition decision‑makers.
In addition, companies will have access to the DEFINE C2 AI Lab in Riihimäki for technology integration and validation before and after the experimentation.
The experimentation also serves as a platform for new international partnerships and future funding opportunities.
Experimentation in June – apply by April 15
LCI‑X Crucible 2‑26 will take place 1–10 June 2026 in Finland (Riihimäki, Joensuu and Turku) and Latvia.
The application deadline is April 15, 2026.
Further information: challenge@rain.global