Ukraine’s technological front is gearing up for a new wave of battlefield innovation. Kaizen Labs, in partnership with Defense Tech for Ukraine, American Made Freedom, and other leading defense organizations, has announced the Anti-Fiber Drone Technologies Hackathon, a 72-hour engineering challenge to develop field-ready counter-UAV systems against fiber optic drone threats.
Innovating for the Modern Battlefield
Set in Lviv, Ukraine, the event will bring together in-person and remote participants for an intensive 72-hour development sprint focused on defending against the growing danger of fiber-linked UAVs—a new generation of drones capable of bypassing traditional jamming methods.
The hackathon invites teams to create innovative counter-drone technologies that integrate directly with Kaizen’s Drone Sentinel acoustic detection system via LoRaWan mesh networks using the Meshtastic protocol. Participants are encouraged to build systems that automatically respond to acoustic drone detection, enabling rapid and autonomous defensive measures on the battlefield.
Target Technologies
Participants will focus on breakthrough anti-drone systems such as:
- Fiber-cutting drone defense systems
- Laser-based neutralization (camera blinding, propeller damage, or electronics disruption)
- EMP anti-drone devices
- Net-based drone interceptors
- Acoustic drone takedown systems
- Other innovative counter-UAV solutions
The emphasis is on low-cost, field-deployable designs that can integrate into Ukraine’s front-line defense networks.
Event Format and Deadlines
- 📍 Location: Lviv, Ukraine (exact site shared privately for security)
- 🕓 Duration: 72-hour hackathon sprint
- 📅 Demo Day: Saturday, October 25, 2024
- 🧰 BOM Submission Deadline: October 15 (optional pre-purchase for components)
- 💡 Pre-order Deadline: October 18
Both in-person and remote participation are supported. Remote teams can ship their prototypes to Lviv for professional on-site testing.
Funding and Prizes
- 💰 R&D Budget: 8,000–10,000 UAH per approved team
- 🏆 Top Prize: 40,000 UAH for the most effective anti-drone solution
Selected teams may also receive direct defense funding for continued R&D beyond the competition, regardless of placement.
Strategic Integration and Partners
Event sponsors are providing unique integration opportunities, including:
- ComBat.vision – Battlefield Management System (BMS) integration for bonus scoring
- Vujko.net – Remote detonation assistance capabilities
- Defense Tech for Ukraine, Kaizen Labs, and American Made Freedom – Core event sponsors supporting long-term counter-drone innovation
Evaluation Criteria
Projects will be judged on:
- Counter-drone effectiveness and acoustic system integration
- Cost efficiency and component sourcing
- Deployment speed and portability
- Innovation and scalability for field conditions
Join the Defense Tech Revolution
From October 25–27, engineers, defense researchers, and innovators will collaborate to design and demonstrate practical solutions capable of detecting, disrupting, and neutralizing fiber-enabled UAVs.
This initiative represents more than just innovation—it’s a direct contribution to Ukraine’s defense and a step toward securing the future of battlefield technology.
Join the mission. Build the technology that saves lives.
🔗 Learn more and register through Kaizen Labs IOBT 2025.
