The domestic drone module STRIKE, developed within METU Teknokent, was deemed worthy of an award by ranking in the top ten in the Innovation Hackathon competition organized by NATO. The project achieved remarkable success in defense technologies and was also invited to be included in NATO’s technology development programs.
NATO awarded the domestic drone project STRIKE
The STRIKE project was developed under the roof of Skytech Robotics Technologies, founded by METU Computer Engineering faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erol Şahin and Aksaray University’s Dr. Veli Bakırcıoğlu. The project is inspired by the way bees defend themselves. The system, which moves like bees, provides coordinated defense by communicating its location to other drones when attacked.
The STRIKE module is activated when the drone it is integrated into is attacked from somewhere. The attack point is analyzed with artificial intelligence-supported algorithms. Since the module works independently of the main system, it continues its analysis processes even if it falls to the ground.
The detected location information is transmitted in real time to other drones it is connected to. Thus, the source of the attack is determined. The system reveals the enemy’s location and establishes a new line of defense against the threat of attack, especially where Drones are weak.
Erol Şahin, who is also the director of METU Romer (Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Technologies Research Center), states that the areas of use of Drones will expand thanks to this technology. It is stated that the system, which makes it easier to detect attackers, opens the door to safer Drone operations that can operate for longer periods in the field.
The award STRIKE received from NATO was not limited to this. NATO also invited the project to the DIANA program, which it established to support the development of two-way technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes in allied countries. It was also invited to the Information Systems Technology (IST) panel affiliated with the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO). The patent process for the project has been initiated in Turkey.
STRIKE, which is still in the investment phase, continues its preparations to move to the production level. The development team states that the module will be available for market in a short time. The support and interest shown by NATO indicate that the STRIKE project could gain an important place in the international defense scene.
