Chef demands significantly more drones

“Drone wall” possible at short notice

Armor entrepreneurs demands significantly more drones

The armaments company Helsing produces combat drones for Ukraine and has further projects. The developers are convinced that more mass and autonomous systems are necessary – and more speed.

The armaments company Helsing advocates the quick structure of a credible conventional deterrent on the NATO-East flank with new types of fighting drones. “This drone wall could be built within one year. You also need educational systems, satellites and probably also educational drones,” says Gundbert Scherf, co-founder and co-chairman, the German press agency in Berlin.

The Munich -based company specializes in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) for the armaments industry. For use-initially in Ukraine-it developed the HX-2 drone that uses artificial intelligence to control explosions to a goal and to be less susceptible to interference measures.

The company has also justified a partnership with the French space startup Loft Orbital in order to be able to monitor limits and troop movements with educational satellites. With the Swedish manufacturer Saab, the installation of an AI application for the air combat in the Gripen fight jet is prepared. In addition, Helsing wants to present an autonomous system for application to sail.

The combination of educational and fight drones is an intelligent lock. Enemy forces would be combated, but their own troops would be done. A “drone wall” can also replace minor locks.

“It is a bit paradoxical, but autonomous systems in particular are made for democracies. We appreciate life, we all like to live a good life. I do not think that our democracies can or want to lead a war of wear that costs a lot of lives,” says Scherf.

“That means we really need to have these asymmetrical, technological skills. Asymmetrical technology wins!”

In Germany, the use of armed drones and automated weapon systems was long controversial. After years of discussions in the Bundestag, nothing happened. In 2020, the SPD had the topic on hold as a smaller partner in the government with the Union.

The protection of your own soldiers is very important, but as a “peace party” you can see the dimension of the drone as an attack weapon, said SPD representatives. Fritz Felgentreu, then a defense policy spokesman for the SPD parliamentary group, threw out in protest in order not to have to bend. Only the major attack on Russia on Ukraine 2022 did the situation fundamentally change.

“When we think of the NATO-East flank, 3,000 kilometers border, and get there with mass, rely on asymmetrical skills, i.e. concentrate tens of thousands of fighting drones there, then it is a very credible conventional deterrent,” says Scherf.

“The debate is currently still running like in the Cold War. We count tank systems, planes and ships on the other side and see if we somehow come close to parity with a lot of money. And I think that’s thought wrong.” The experience of Ukraine shows that it must be set to asymmetrical technologies and new dilemma is generated with mass.

German military planners and scientists also deal with the new concepts and draw teachings from Ukraine with reference to the quick upgrade of Russia. A “drone wall” is already being discussed in the Baltic States. Drones are not seen as an alternative to tanks and artillery, but as a necessary addition – in which Germany is still quite bare for more than three years after the turn of the times.

According to the manufacturer, the HX-2 is able to combat artillery monkeys, armored vehicles and other military destinations to a range of up to 100 kilometers. Because she recognizes her goal and the way there with AI, it is less susceptible to opposing interference measures (“electronic struggle”).

“In order to overcome it-i.e. without navigating GPS coordinates-the system has to compare what it sees on the floor using map material. This requires intelligence on board so that the drone comes into the target corridor,” says Scherf.

Typically, the goals are hidden and the drone supports the search. In any case, the operator still has to confirm the goal. Man decide. Then, however, the weapon can be autonomously directed to the finish by a AI agent. Experts call the three steps “navigation, detection and at the end Mission Execution”. Ukrainian soldiers will learn the operation in a few weeks.