As part of the uDOS (Unified Drone Operating System) innovation project #171, the Bundeswehr's Cyber Innovation Hub is testing a standardized drone operating system designed to simplify the control and operation of different types of drones within the armed forces. The trials took place at the former airfield in Erding and demonstrated the advantages of a standardized platform for the use of drones.
uDOS: Unified Drone Operating System
The Bundeswehr has a large number of drone types from different manufacturers, each of which requires different control systems. This diversity poses a major challenge for soldiers, who have to undergo special training and instruction to operate each drone. The aim of the project was therefore to show that the hurdle can be significantly reduced with this approach.
The central approach of the project is based on the standardization of control and monitoring processes. These standards make it possible to operate drones from different manufacturers via a uniform platform. Auterion has developed a software solution based on established standards from the open source community that enables the seamless integration of different drone models into operational scenarios.
A practical scenario was demonstrated during the test in Erding: An enemy main battle tank in position was reconnoitred by friendly forces. Once the battle tank had been confirmed as an enemy target, the attack was carried out using an FPV drone. This was followed by an assessment of the impact, known as a battle damage assessment. Soldiers use this as a basis for planning further action.
A standardized drone operating system offers the advantage that soldiers can access important information more quickly and share current information directly in the network. This promotes information superiority, which is crucial for the successful execution of military operations. At the same time, the system helps to minimize risk for soldiers by giving them a better overview of the current situation.
The uDOS innovation project shows how the Bundeswehr can make drone missions more efficient through the use of standardized technologies. A standardized operating system not only reduces training costs, but also allows the exchange of mission-specific applications (intelligence, surveillance, targeting and tracking) between drones from different manufacturers. Overall, it increases the operational capability of soldiers by enabling faster and more precise information processing and mission fulfillment. The Bundeswehr Cyber Innovation Hub thus makes an important contribution to the modernization and increased efficiency of the armed forces.