Six Robotics has delivered the first Valkyrie drone swarm to the Norwegian Army, marking a major step forward in Norway’s autonomous defence capabilities.
Rena, Norway, 16th October. The Norwegian Army has officially received its first drone swarm, developed by Six Robotics in collaboration with the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI).
Handover at LandX
The handover took place during LandX, FFI’s annual technology experiment, where researchers, engineers, and industry partners work side-by-side with the Army to mature new capabilities for land operations. The delivery follows the Army’s announcement earlier in October that Six Robotics’ Valkyrie swarm has been selected for a pilot programme focused on concept and technology development across multiple Army units.
The system delivered will now be subject to operational testing in the Army’s manoeuvre units and at the Army Weapons School.
Dr. Jan Dyre Bjerknes, CTO at Six Robotics, underlines that this is a development contract. “The swarm we are delivering now is a product under development. We will continue to improve the swarm, add features, and update the software continuously based on feedback from the Army”, he said.
Built for operators, side by side with operators
Six Robotics’ approach to technology development is founded on close collaboration with the people who will use its systems. Bjerknes explains that this proximity is essential to developing relevant capability.
“If you are not close to the operators who will use the product, you quickly end up building the wrong things”, he says. “We need to see what works and what doesn’t, not in theory, but in practice. That’s how we make sure our systems solve real problems for the people on the ground”.
Jan Dyre Bjerknes
Chief Technology Officer
This mindset is shared by FFI’s Deputy Director, Jan Erik Torp, who describes the collaboration between research, industry, and the military as vital for staying ahead. “We are in a technological race in drone technology. It’s important that we don’t fall asleep at the wheel”, he says. Torp points out that this is the right way to develop military materiel today, through continuous development and direct involvement of end users.
Towards operational capability
In the coming months, Six Robotics will continue to deliver additional Valkyrie swarm systems to the Norwegian Army. Alongside these deliveries, the company will conduct training and onboarding of Army personnel, ensuring that operators are equipped to use and test the systems effectively in the field. These field evaluations will provide feedback for ongoing development, allowing Six Robotics to refine both the hardware and software in close collaboration with the Army and FFI.
The delivery marks an important milestone, not just for Six Robotics, but for the continued advancement of autonomous systems within the Norwegian Armed Forces. It represents a step toward a future where human operators are empowered by intelligent, adaptable technology designed and tested alongside those who depend on it.
