Cambridge Pixel radar processing software deployed as part of an SPX Technologies counter-UAS solution at NATO exercise in Romania.
Demonstrating support for SAPIENT, the open standard adopted by NATO for sensor integration in counter-UAS, Cambridge Pixel proved its technology at the Layered Counter-UAS Initiative (LCI-X) Crucible 1-26 event hosted by Romania at Capu Midia Training Range, as part of Exercise Eastern Phoenix 26. This was the first event under the NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) initiative for evaluating C-UAS capabilities in realistic, threat-informed testing environments. Running from 14 to 25 April 2026, the event brought together approximately 500 military personnel and specialists from Romania and NATO member states, alongside UAS and C-UAS capabilities from industry.
The SPX Technologies BlackTalon C-UAS system deployed at the exercise incorporated Cambridge Pixel software for radar processing, multi-sensor track fusion, data recording and operator display functions. Cambridge Pixel technology combined radar, electro-optical and other sensor inputs into a unified detection and tracking picture, with SAPIENT-compliant interfaces supporting integration across vendors.
SAPIENT (BSI Flex 335 V2.0) is the open standard developed by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to support plug-and-play sensor integration in counter-UAS and wider surveillance systems. It is increasingly specified in NATO and allied procurement (STANREC/AEDP-4869).
Attending the exercise, Nick Booth, Product Manager at Cambridge Pixel, commented, “Exercises like LCI-X Crucible 1-26 are the right place to test how well an open standard actually works in practice. Bringing together sensors from multiple vendors under SAPIENT in a realistic environment is the kind of validation that matters far more than a datasheet claim. We are pleased to have contributed to it.”
Cambridge Pixel continues to develop its SAPIENT-compliant product range. The SPx Track Manager, VSD and SPx Server products provide the building blocks for sensor integrators and system houses that need to add SAPIENT support to existing or new C-UAS systems. Further updates are planned through 2026.
Found this interesting? Please share it with your network:
Meet us at: