DefTech Forges

Challenge giver:

Contact person at deltaVision:

Julien Maurandy, Senior System Architect

Contact person:

Initial situation:

deltaVision is a German start-up based in Munich and an established supplier of propulsion system components. Building on this expertise, the company is developing the Dynamic space Operations VEhicle (DOVE) - a platform for the flexible and rapid positioning of payloads in orbit.
DOVE is designed as a dual-use system and addresses both civil and security-relevant applications in the context of the German space security strategy.

The platform offers, among other things:

• Modular payload interfaces and exchange of payloads in orbit
• Compatibility with European launcher systems (e.g. Ariane, Vega, RFA One)
• High orbital mobility (>4 km/s ΔV)
• Refueling capability in orbit
• RPOD capability (Rendezvous, Proximity Operations & Docking)

Performance data for payloads:

• Up to 5 payloads
• Up to 1000 kg total mass (max. 300 kg per payload)
• ~2000 W electrical power
• ~2000 W thermal dissipation
• Customizable downlink capacity and position control accuracy

Problem definition:

deltaVision does not develop the payloads itself and is therefore looking for external partners. We are looking for concepts for innovative payloads that can be operated on DOVE. Participants should:

• Define an existing or own use case
• Derive end user requirements as hypotheses
• Design a suitable payload

The development process is iterative - adjustments to the platform are also possible in order to maximize the benefits.

Goal of the Challenge:

• Development of initial payload concepts with reliable performance data
• Feedback on platform requirements and interfaces
• Insights into the operational concept (ConOps)
• Strengthening payload development in Germany
• Identification of potential partners
• Derivation of future further developments of DOVE

Added value:

• Access to an innovative orbital service platform
• Opportunity to help shape future space infrastructure
• Positioning in the growing dual-use space market
• Networking with an up-and-coming new space company

Technical and operational requirements:

• Payload compatible with DOVE interfaces and power budgets
• Consideration of mass, energy and thermal limits
• Concept based on current technological capabilities
• Focus on realistic and scalable applications

Challenge giver:

Contact person at MBDA:

Christoph Müller, Head of Hypersonic Solutions

Michael Wiedemann, TecTrainee

Benjamin Wilkosz, Chief Engineer

Contact at Bayern Innovativ:

Initial situation:

Offensive hypersonic weapon systems offer great potential for effective, long-range missions. Germany already has a very good starting point thanks to intensive space and defense technology research as well as demonstrator programs and funding from the BAAINBw. Thanks to its experience with hypersonic technologies and demonstrator programs, MBDA Germany is closely networked with various players in the Bundeswehr ecosystem.

Problem definition:

The central challenge is not only to develop technologies, but also to drive forward technology maturation and development programs in parallel. As this area has so far been rather closed and risk-averse, MBDA Germany wants to use the HI² Challenge to open up the area of technology maturation in particular to new market participants, such as start-ups and SMEs. Innovative technologies are to be further developed at an early stage and later integrated into specific programs.

Target:

Early identification of high-performing technology companies and targeted integration of disruptive sub-systems in a structured technology maturation process for hypersonic weapon systems by 2030.

Added value:

1. Administrative screening and contact surface of start-ups and medium-sized companies with the R&T landscape of the Bundeswehr and the industrial integrator MBDA Germany
2. Identification of innovative but high-risk technological solutions in the following areas:
   • GNSS-robust navigation and structure-integrated antennas
   • ITAR-free energy supply
   • Mechanical-thermal-logical integration of novel IMUs
   • Innovative sensor integration
   • Cryptographic communication technology over long distances

Technical and operational requirements:

TRL: 3 - 5

The aim is to be able to present demonstrators of the respective sub-systems after the HI² Challenge TRL 5. Following agreement with the Bundeswehr, a roadmap should be available on how these technologies can be brought to TRL 6 so that they can then be integrated into a development program.

Challenge giver:

TechHUB SVI of Bayern Innovativ GmbH

Contact person:

Problem definition:

• High complexity in the detection of ground-based threats
• Limited comparability of technical solutions under operational conditions
• Lack of standards for assessment, situation picture integration and ground truth
• Lack of reliable performance data for users and developers

Target:

Autonomous and semi-autonomous systems should demonstrate their performance under identical framework conditions.

Added value:

The benefits of Valkyrie Grid lie in the combination of real-world testing, digital situational awareness integration, objective metrics and visible demonstration impact.
For technology providers, this results in reliable proof of performance and increased visibility.

Technical and operational requirements:

• Technological maturity level from TRL 5
• The system must already be technologically validated and be able to be demonstrated in a relevant environment.
• Suitability for detecting and classifying ground-based threats
• Capability for situation picture and evaluation integration
• Willingness to participate in the standardized test format
• Participants must accept defined interfaces, security specifications and evaluation logic.
• Participation as a company or consortium
• Contributions from sensor technology, platform, AI, command and control software and data fusion are expressly desired

Challenge provider / organization:

Contact person:

Dr.-Ing. Christoph Petroll, Technical Government Director, Laboratory for Autonomous Systems and Robotics

Contact at Bayern Innovativ:

Initial situation & problem definition:

Standard drone communication (control links & telemetry) has historically prioritized range and low latency over security. Low-cost software-defined radios (SDR) and open source protocols with varying levels of documentation (e.g. MAVLink, CRSF) have drastically lowered the barrier to entry for signal manipulation. Furthermore, UAVs have various sensors to record the environment, which in turn can provide a vector for attack.

Concrete problem:

Insufficiently secured UAS are subject to risks of disrupting operational use through signal jamming, the manipulation of navigation data (spoofing) or the unauthorized takeover of system control (hijacking). Commercially available systems do not fully consider hardening against attacks and offer gateways for manipulation.

Goal of the Challenge:

Two approaches will be taken:

• Team Red: Identification of vulnerabilities in the standard setups. The aim is to disrupt communication, intercept/falsify telemetry data or infiltrate commands in order to take control of the flight controller.
• Team Blue: Hardening the existing system. The aim is to develop and implement mechanisms such as secure encryption, robust authentication or anti-jamming routines without disrupting operational use.
  The solutions developed are presented and validated from the table-top setup to flights under real conditions.

Added value:

• Disclosure of vulnerabilities: Gaps in existing systems should be uncovered and the consequences for operational use assessed
• Real-world applicability: Software patches and security concepts resulting from this can flow directly back into industry and open source projects (ExpressLRS, Ardupilot, PX4, etc.).
• Promoting innovation: The Aurora Challenge sees itself as a practical catalyst in the field of cyber-physical systems. The aim is to further develop concepts for securing existing systems as well as for drone defense. The solutions introduced enhance security and expand the operational field of application.

Technical and operational requirements:

From TRL 0

Challenge giver:

Contact person from Nokia:

Georg Geiger, Senior Knowledge Architect AI/ML
Substitute: Dr. Marco Hoffmann, Program Manager

Contact person at Rohde & Schwarz:

Bernd Nagelrauf, Product Manager C-UAS

Contact at Bayern Innovativ:

Initial situation & problem definition:

Critical infrastructures and high-value targets (air defense, radar stations, etc.) are increasingly threatened by unknown or hostile unmanned systems (UxS). Early detection and effective neutralization of such threats are therefore essential and of great national interest. In addition to the possible use of effectors (artillery, jammers, high-energy lasers), a further and (cost) efficient defense must be identified and integrated into an anti-drone solution.

In addition, the targeted development of national expertise in this field of technology is of central importance in order to sustainably protect Germany against hostile activities.

Scenario:
Protection of a critical infrastructure (e.g. Bundeswehr property) against drone attacks; due to structural, operational and security-related restrictions, the use of conventional jamming systems or kinetic effectors is only possible to a limited extent or not at all

• Reliable detection of unknown UxS in the operational area using cellular and complementary approaches
  • Detection of drones in the cellular network
  • Detection of drones using the cellular network (e.g. ICAS, JCAS)
  • Supplementary detection of non-cellularly connected systems (e.g. FPV/"dark" drones) using network-based and external methods
• Interception and analysis of communication links of unknown UxS
  • Interception of cellular and non-cellular radio and data traffic (e.g. control and video connections)
  • Extraction of relevant information (e.g. control commands, telemetry, video data)
  • Analysis, decoding and, if necessary, decryption of this information
• Development and evaluation of procedures for taking over and neutralizing UxS
  • Development of options for taking over control (collaborative and non-collaborative drones)
  • AI-based generation and adaptation of takeover mechanisms
  • Manipulation of communication links (cellular and non-cellular), in particular
    • Feeding misinformation or targeted control of the system
    • Takeover of control and transfer to a safe state (e.g. safe-spot landing)
  • Impairment of guidance by:
    • Manipulation of video signals (e.g. FPV/"dark" drones)
    • Combination with other influencing measures
• Integration of alternative influence vectors
  • Influencing navigation systems (e.g. GNSS-related measures such as spoofing)
  • Combination of interventions in communication and navigation systems for effective neutralization
• Protection of own UxS and systems in the cellular environment
  • Protection against external communication interference and takeover attempts
  • Protection of communication through post-quantum cryptography (PQC)
  • Integration of physical layer security (PLS)
• Protection against AI-based attacks and protection of own AI systems against manipulation and deception
  

Goal of the Challenge:

• Research into mechanisms for detecting and neutralizing unknown or hostile unmanned systems (UxS) in the operational environment, in particular using cellular and network-based communication infrastructures
• Research into mechanisms for taking over, influencing or controlled neutralization of hostile UxS, including cyber and communication-based approaches for taking over control and influencing sensor technology (e.g. video or control data)
• Research into mechanisms to protect own UxS from external communication interference, takeover attempts and AI-based attacks
• Implementation of the developed protection and effective mechanisms in an overall radio-based system (e.g. 5G campus network)
• Demonstration and evaluation of both functional directions (attack/neutralization and protection) in a realistic radio network

Added value:

• Protecting critical infrastructure (KRITIS) such as energy and water supplies, telecommunications networks, transportation hubs, government buildings, armed forces properties and industrial facilities from hostile unmanned systems (UxS) that have significant potential for physical damage, sabotage, espionage and information loss
• Providing a holistic, efficient and scalable drone defence solution that includes early detection as well as neutralization and/or takeover of UxS, thus enabling an end-to-end chain of protection for critical infrastructure
• Combination of modern key technologies, in particular
  • AI-supported detection, analysis and decision support
  • network-based sensor technology and communication infrastructures (e.g. 5G campus networks)
  • Modular and scalable countermeasures for adaptive defense against different types of UxS

Technical and operational requirements:

Approaches in the field of cellular network infrastructures (e.g. 5G/6G-based detection, communication, manipulation and protection mechanisms): TRL 6 and above

Other technologies and processes outside the cellular network context (e.g. alternative radio links, GNSS-based processes, FPV/video or sensor systems): open (TRL 0)