When Sweden hosted AURORA 26 on Gotland, the exercise highlighted how NATO training environments are adapting to operational realities shaped by drone warfare, distributed operations and contested environments.
On Gotland, Ukrainian forces participated alongside allied units, bringing frontline experience from modern drone warfare into reconnaissance, counter-UAS and red teaming activities. During the exercise, RQ-35 Heidrun operated in activities focused on tactical situational awareness and distributed ISR support within the multinational training environment.
AURORA 26 represents an important milestone for RQ-35 Heidrun‘s participation in multinational NATO training environments. The exercise reflected a broader shift in how NATO and allied forces prepare for future operations. The war in Ukraine has accelerated the pace of drone tactics, electronic warfare and operational workflows. Having supported Ukraine since the beginning of the war, Sky-Watch has learned how quickly operational relevance can disappear if systems and tactics fail to adapt.
Readiness is no longer only about advanced technology. It is about how rapidly forces can integrate lessons learned, adapt workflows and maintain situational awareness under pressure.
RQ-35 Heidrun‘s participation in AURORA 26 reflects the growing relevance of adaptable ISR capabilities in NATO training environments focused on tactical situational awareness and operational adaptation.
For Sky-Watch, this is not theoretical. Since the beginning of the war, our support to Ukraine has created a direct battlefield-to-engineering feedback loop, shaping the evolution of RQ-35 Heidrun through frontline feedback and operational learning.
As Sweden strengthens its role within NATO and the Baltic region becomes increasingly strategically important, AURORA 26 highlights the need for ISR capabilities that can support allied readiness against future threats.
For Sky-Watch, this is where operational lessons translate into readiness where they matter.
Photo sources: Försvarsmakten/Swedish Armed Forces/NATO
