OPEX
About the *project.*
OPEX is the first major field initiative launched under the European Defence Agency's Hub for European Defence Innovation (HEDI), designed to evaluate and refine advanced technologies through immersive, scenario-based field testing. It brings together technology developers, military end-users, and EU defense experts in a collaborative, agile experimentation environment.
The first edition focuses on Autonomous Systems for Cross-domain Logistics (Air and Land) and takes place in Italy during summer 2025, hosted by the Italian Army at advanced military testing sites including CEPOLISPE, the Multifunctional Experimentation Centre in Montelibretti. Unmanned Aerial and Ground Systems (UAS/UGS) are tested for resupply, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), and reconnaissance missions in contested or hard-to-reach environments.
Procurement was organized into seven lots spanning low-cost attritable UAS, VTOL and heavy-lift VTOL UAS, attritable and medium wheeled/tracked UGS, plus a dedicated OPEX Support Team lot for experimental design and evaluation. Six European contractors were awarded contracts, each required to deliver technology at Technology Readiness Level 5 (TRL>5) or higher, ready for direct field testing, mission simulation, and data-driven analysis.
Key *objectives.*
Validate Autonomous Logistics Under Real Conditions
Test UAS and UGS platforms in live, operationally relevant military scenarios rather than simulated exercises, guided by military standards and evaluated by experts from across the EU.
Cover the Full Spectrum of Unmanned Platforms
Assess seven distinct technology lots to compare capability, cost-efficiency, and mission fit across payload classes.
Structure Experimentation Into Clear Phases
Run the campaign across three phases (Setup, Operational Experimentation, and Assessment) covering system acceptance testing, live field deployment, and a final evaluation report to inform future policy and procurement.
Bridge the Defense Innovation "Valley of Death"
Help promising technologies transition from development to deployment by offering funding calls, real testing environments, and collaborative platforms through HEDI's broader innovation ecosystem.
Set Standards for Next-Generation European Defense
Establish a precedent for how innovation frameworks move from policy to practice, combining public and private sector strengths to define standards for the next generation of unmanned logistics systems.
Beyond Vision's *role*.
Beyond Vision joins the EDA's first Operational Experimentation Campaign as one of six European contractors selected to field-test autonomous logistics technology in Italy. With proven UAS expertise, Beyond Vision contributes systems evaluated for resupply, CASEVAC, and reconnaissance missions, and undergoes direct observation, mission simulation, and real-time data collection alongside military end-users and EU defense experts at CEPOLISPE.