Metrea Successfully Completes Border Security Testing for Frontex
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Metrea is proud to announce the successful completion of the Air Adversarial Testing Campaign for Phase 2 of the Frontex (European Border and Coast Guard Agency) Counter-Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) Solutions Prize Contest. This marks a significant achievement in strengthening Europe's defenses against the growing threat of unauthorized drones and boosting border security.
The three-week campaign took place at the Alcochete Field Firing Range (AFFR) near Lisbon and subjected four competing C-UAS systems to intense, real-world operational testing under realistic adversarial conditions. The Metrea team ran over 200 drone missions to challenge the systems, replicating advanced enemy tactics such as coordinated swarms, operations where GPS signals were blocked (GNSS-denied), low-visibility surveillance (ISR) missions, and simultaneous attacks from multiple directions.
Frontex selected Metrea’s independent C-UAS Testing, Training, and Evaluation (T3E) service because of its proven operational experience, which includes providing Red Air (threat emulation) services for previous NATO training events. Metrea provided the entire threat capability, utilizing VESPA, Metrea's specialized, complex adversarial drone platform, and FLAMINGO, our proprietary ground control software used to plan and execute repeatable, advanced flight profiles like swarming. Together, these technologies allowed Metrea to accurately replicate sophisticated adversarial behaviors using a diverse fleet of custom-built and modified commercial drones.
Throughout the campaign, Metrea ensured full compliance with all Portuguese and EU aviation, spectrum, and safety regulations. All sensitive data, including flight telemetry and sensor recordings, was encrypted and secured according to EU data protection laws, guaranteeing the integrity and traceability of the test results. The campaign concluded with a two-day demonstration and workshop, allowing officials from Frontex, the European Commission, EU Member States, and technical observers to see the systems' performance firsthand.
Metrea’s successful delivery solidifies its reputation as a trusted, independent evaluator of C-UAS services for NATO, allied defense ministries, and international partners. Metrea continues to invest in advanced drone design, data analysis, and safety assurance, ensuring it remains a leader in next-generation T3E services.
For further context, please refer to the video 'Frontex Concludes Contest to Counter Criminal Use of Drones at EU Borders' published on YouTube by Frontex.
About Metrea
Metrea is the leading provider of effects-as-a-service to national security partners across multiple domains and over a dozen mission-centric solution areas, including airborne ISR, aerial refueling, electronic warfare, secure communications, space-based ISR and advanced simulation.
Metrea is headquartered in Washington, DC with facilities across the United States, the United Kingdom, and the EU.
Media Contact:
Thomas West
Head of Communications