Alta Ares Successfully Tests High-Speed Turbojet Interceptor in Arctic Conditions with Estonian Armed Forces
Arctic-Qualified: High Performance in Extreme Cold Conditions
Operating in temperatures of -17°C on the ground and -25°C at altitude, Alta Ares' Black Bird interceptor, powered by ALM Meca's turbojet propulsion system, achieved three consecutive successful flights, reaching a maximum recorded speed of 450 km/h. This represents a technical achievement, as such velocities are exceptionally difficult to attain in arctic operational environments.
"These successful demonstrations are the result of months of intensive work by our teams, and we're proud that the local armed forces were highly satisfied with the outcomes," said Hadrien Canter, CEO of Alta Ares. "Cold-weather operations present extreme challenges for turbine engines, and our successful deployment demonstrates the operational readiness of our system for NATO's most demanding northern theaters."
Full System Validation
The demonstrations validated the complete Alta Ares interception ecosystem under operational conditions, including real-time communication links, antenna performance and signal integrity, live video data transmission from the interceptor, and target detection, tracking, and locking capabilities of Pixel Lock.
Critical Strategic Context
Estonia's position on NATO's eastern flank, sharing a 294-km border with Russia, makes counter-UAS capabilities a critical national security priority. The country faces persistent drone incursions and reconnaissance threats, requiring proven, battle-tested defensive systems capable of operating in harsh northern climates.
"Deploying fifth-generation fighters against $150,000 Shahed drones is economically unsustainable," explained Hadrien Canter. "Our system provides autonomous detection and interception at a fraction of the cost, allowing nations to preserve their fighter fleets for peer threats while maintaining continuous border protection against drone incursions."
Battle-Tested Technology
Alta Ares' counter-drone systems have been operationally deployed in Ukraine since 2024, with successful interceptions recorded. The company has recently won NATO's Innovation Challenge and secured validation from multiple NATO member states, including France, Poland, Finland and now Estonia.
The Estonian demonstrations mark a significant milestone in Alta Ares' expansion across the Baltic Sea region, where counter-UAS capabilities are increasingly recognized as essential infrastructure for national defense.
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