Operating effectively in extreme environments places high demands on technical, logistical and human capabilities. From the High North to arid desert regions, forces and equipment must function reliably in conditions that degrade performance and limit external support.
Through Operations in Extreme Environments, DIANA supports innovators whose ideas help ensure forces can operate safely, sustainably and effectively under these conditions. According to Challenge Manager Matko Barišić:
“As operating environments evolve, the Alliance is increasingly required to function in regions where climate, distance and limited civilian infrastructure are defining factors. Operations in Extreme Environments responds to this shift, focusing on how forces can remain effective while conserving human resources and sustaining operations under extreme conditions. It reflects NATO’s approach to modern defence, where resilience, preparedness and the protection of people are as important as technological performance”.
Operating in Extreme Environments is distinct from DIANA’s other Challenges, in that it is not defined by a single technology domain. Rather than focusing on specific, technology-led and vertical adoption chains, it takes a horizontal approach centred on joint operations. It brings together a wide range of technologies that must be adapted and integrated to operate reliably in hostile conditions.
Central to this is ‘ruggedisation’, which refers to additional engineering beyond basic system design, aimed at making a technology resilient in real‑world conditions. It involves measures such as improved protection for items and people, thermal insulation and clean water supply, ensuring systems continue to function when conditions deteriorate or components fail.
However, the motivation behind this Challenge extends beyond technical resilience alone. There is an equal focus on the human factors involved in defence operations. While the Human Resilience and Biotechnology Challenge addresses these considerations directly, Operations in Extreme Environments approaches defence from the perspective of conserving human capability, protecting health, reducing physical strain and ensuring the continued effectiveness of those operating in environmentally challenging environments.
This emphasis is reflected in the diversity of innovators in DIANA’s 2026 cohort, spanning medical technologies, water and power solutions, and systems designed to reduce logistical burden in remote locations. In extreme environments, there are often no power lines, little human habitation and limited civilian infrastructure. Logistical management becomes a defining constraint. When conducting defence operations in these environments, forces must carry everything required to sustain operations.
Survival is paramount, but so too is the ability to understand the environment, maintain situational awareness and continue operating despite persistent environmental pressure. The focus of this Challenge is therefore on deployable capabilities that improve resilience, reduce logistical burden and safeguard people, particularly in remote geographies where external support is not readily available.
Innovators in focus
DIANA’s current cohort includes a range of innovators addressing different aspects of operating in extreme environments. Below are some cohort highlights:
Mesodyne (United States) – Fuel‑based, portable power
Mesodyne is developing a portable, power solution that doesn't produce much radiated energy like sound and thermal radiation, which integrates seamlessly into existing military logistics by using fuel rather than batteries. In extreme environments, where forces must carry all supplies needed to sustain operations, energy storage becomes a critical constraint. Designed to be portable, robust, quiet and cool, Mesodyne’s system is suitable for infantry units and special operations. By reducing reliance on conventional battery recharging, the solution offers a more practical and resilient way to deliver power where resupply is difficult or unreliable.
SpaceDrip (Estonia) – Continuous, independent and safe water supply
SpaceDrip originally developed its technology for extremely hot environments, where water demand is high. Through DIANA, the company is now adapting its solution for extremely cold environments, an inherently challenging transition. SpaceDrip produces ruggedised, containerised water treatment and recycling systems capable of processing greywater and blackwater. By providing continuous water access independent of external sources, the technology supports operational autonomy and resilience for forward operating bases, field hospitals and other deployable facilities. Its applicability across both hot and cold extremes highlights its versatility.
SolarSteam (Canada) - Resilient data processing with solar thermal energy
SolarSteam converts solar thermal energy into cooling power for data centres operating in harsh environments. In extreme conditions, providing reliable electrical power is often a major constraint. By reducing dependence on conventional energy infrastructure, SolarSteam’s approach supports resilient data processing and storage at the edge, even when that edge is in hostile and extreme environments, where traditional power generation is difficult to sustain.
Hellstern Medical (Germany) - Ergonomic support for battlefront surgeons
Highlighting the human dimension of this Challenge, Hellstern Medical has developed an ergonomic support system designed to assist surgeons operating in field conditions. Rather than a traditional exoskeleton, the system acts as a physical aid, reducing fatigue and providing stability during prolonged procedures. Field surgeons often operate for extended periods under extreme physical and psychological strain, further exacerbated by field hospital conditions for facilities in extreme environments. Hellstern’s technology helps preserve precision and endurance, supporting the delivery of critical medical care in environments where evacuation and resupply may be delayed or impossible.
Looking ahead
Innovators within Operations in Extreme Environments are currently progressing through DIANA’s rigorous Test, Evaluation, Validation and Verification (TEVV) phase. This stage is designed to increase technology readiness levels by at least one step on the TRL scale. Testing is conducted at specialised centres across the Alliance, selected to match the operational demands of each technology. Several innovators are already approaching TRL 6 or 7, opening the door to potential participation in NATO operational exercises.
As NATO adapts to changing strategic realities and increasingly demanding operating conditions, the importance of Operations in Extreme Environments will continue to grow. Through DIANA, the Alliance is accelerating innovation that protects people, reduces logistical vulnerability and ensures forces can operate effectively, no matter how hostile the environment.
To find out more about the 2026 DIANA innovators in the Operations in Extreme Environments challenge, please visit:
https://www.diana.nato.int/about-diana/2025-cohort-of-companies.html