The Baltic Ghost Wing Center of Excellence (BGWCOE) operates from two main locations in Estonia: the primary training facility in Jõhvi and the larger proving grounds in Sonda. These sites support small unit tactics, drone pilot instruction, and live testing of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in both open and built-up environments. The Jõhvi location includes indoor flight spaces, urban assault structures, and a modular control center for real-time scenario management.
The Sonda site, referred to internally as “X-43,” spans several kilometers and is used for high-speed drone testing, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, vertical obstacle runs, and coordinated swarm drills. It features fixed-course flight lanes, wooded terrain, and open fields to accommodate both rotor and fixed-wing platforms. Dedicated launch areas and recovery zones support parallel testing by multiple teams, making it ideal for unit-level exercises, third-party demonstrations, and certification events.
A third facility at Vehendi, near Lake Võrtsjärv, expands Baltic Ghost Wing’s capabilities into maritime and amphibious domains. This site is tailored for testing unmanned surface and underwater vehicles, as well as water-launched drones. Combined, these three sites allow BGWCOE to provide year-round training, product evaluation, and tactical development across land, air, and water—serving governments, manufacturers, and security clients from across Europe and beyond.
James Acuna has over 37 years of experience across corporate and government enterprises, specializing in advanced technology, intelligence, investigations, foreign policy, security, special operations, and emerging technologies and markets. His expertise focuses on security, geopolitics, and intelligence operations in Eurasia and Central Asia. Throughout his career, James has been a featured speaker at leading forums and media outlets including VTE Finland, Kyiv Independent, Politico.eu, Krave, Postimees, and engagements in Romania. Today, James applies his extensive background to assist venture capital and private equity firms, start-ups, and corporations seeking to navigate Eastern and Central Europe and Central Asia. From in-depth due diligence to security consulting and evaluating corporate leadership, James provides unique, high-value insight to organizations aiming to understand and succeed in complex markets.