Defense Technology 2024

Although Data Respons is not a typical defense company, it is a significant actor in the Nordic defense ecosystem. And as the digitalization of defense is further increasing, and the demand for defense products is skyrocketing, Helweg and Sehm are ready to take on bigger projects.

– The armed forces in the Nordics must accelerate the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, unmanned systems, and cybersecurity. These technologies can enhance capabilities in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), as well as in combat and defensive operations. The utilization of AI and machine learning can significantly speed up decision-making processes, while drones and autonomous systems can perform risky tasks without endangering human lives, says Ivar Sehm.

– Across the Nordics tech specialists from Data Respons are now focusing on autonomy, sensors, data sharing, situation awareness and interoperability. And we are not alone in that. But we are working hard at combining and integrating the different products and services, adds Mikkel Helweg.

The “Commercial as long as possible, military when strictly necessary” paradigm is well suited for companies like Data Respons R&D Services and Data Respons Solutions. For decades the sister companies have contributed significantly although discreetly to naval warships, land systems, soldier equipment and digital defense systems. Always standing in “the shadows”, as subcontractors to large defense companies, and always taking commercial technology and adapting it to the unique requirements in the defense sector.

Data Respons R&D Services specializes in the early phases of development, spanning from doing feasibility studies to building pre-certified, working, and approved prototypes. Data Respons Solutions on the other hand, is responsible for formal certification, industrialization, volume production and life cycle support. Thus, the combined capacities from both companies are a unique and high value-added product development as a service to our customers.

– We are experts in the field of digital engineering, and the most significant trends in defense technology are based on digitalization, says Ivar Sehm.

– And typically, the defense sector takes advancements from the commercial sector and fits them to defense requirements. We are experts in that too, having done so many times over the years.

According to Ivar Sehm there is an emerging market for complex and outsourced R&D projects where the customer has full ownership of the product, including all IPRs and any patents.

– Today we are offering a complete value chain from drawing up a concept to full industrialization and the delivery of ready to use products. From what I have seen more and more defense agencies are now opening up to more and less traditional suppliers and new ways of thinking. So far it has led to shorter delivery processes that are on budget, says Sehm and referring to how the US based company Anduril have disrupted the defense industry in the US.

As an example, Ivar Sehm points to unmanned aerial vehicles. He remembers participating in a NATO study at the turn of the millennium, analyzing the potential of UAVs. The study argued that civilian aviation had already to a large extend developed the key technologies required for autonomy, including autopilot, sensors, GPS and guidance systems. To step into a new phase of drones in defense, what remained was to tie it all together and add the necessary security and ruggedness. Fast forward two decades, and drones have become a key asset for the Ukrainian defenders. Zelenski have even declared an ambition to produce a million FPV drones in 2024.

The battlefield in Ukraine has seen a massive shift towards the integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and artificial intelligence (AI). In Ukraine, drones have been utilized extensively, from sophisticated military-grade models to modified commercial drones.

These machines serve a myriad of roles, from surveillance and reconnaissance to direct attack missions, effectively extending the eyes and ears of the forces while keeping human soldiers at safer distances. The AI enhances these capabilities, processing vast amounts of data to provide real-time analytics that support decision-making and targeting precision.

– Two years ago, we worked on a de-icing system for civilian drones meant for use in Nordic winter conditions. Today I think that is crucial technology for the armed forces in the Nordics. When there is a drone war in artic conditions de-icing suddenly becomes a challenge. But it’s another example where the technology already exists. And if we go into the IoT dimension the examples of existing civilian tech is endless, says Sehm.

IoMT integrates various military devices, enhancing automation and improving real-time decision-making capabilities. Pivotal in improving situational awareness and operational efficiency by connecting soldiers, vehicles, drones, and more.

Within the IoMT space sensors play a crucial role. The range of sensors deployed across a defense infrastructure spans from large devices such as radars, sonars and satellites to equipment for the individual soldier, such as thermal cameras, microphones, gas detectors, sensors measuring the physical condition of the soldier and more. And they are connected, making each of them a node in a vast sensor network feeding information into overlaying systems.

– Military operations often take place in harsh environments. The defense industry can add value by designing IoMT devices that are rugged and reliable, ensuring they operate effectively in extreme conditions, from underwater to desert environments or in high electromagnetic interference areas, comments Helweg.

As warfare becomes increasingly networked, cybersecurity has emerged as a critical front. The adoption of satellite communication systems like Starlink after traditional networks were compromised illustrates a shift towards more resilient, decentralized communication methods. This adaptation ensures that even in the face of aggressive cyber warfare, military and civilian networks can maintain operational effectiveness.

According to Mikkel Helweg, Data Respons has a strong track record when it comes to taking communication technology and wrapping it into military applications.

– As an example, we have developed a range of tactical communication nodes that will be mounted in every combat vehicle in the Norwegian army. It enables tactical IP communication over a large area and is based on components from civilian 4G and 5G cellular networks. The devices are ruggedized and can interface crypto devices to fit it to military secret requirements.

Furthermore, networking and data sharing are essential to shortening the time between sensing and response. Data from a large number of sources across multi-domains are integrated into complex C4ISR systems (C4 stands for Command, Control, Communication, Computers, ISR stands for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance). These systems deliver situational awareness to both the individual soldier and to the staff at military headquarters.

– The Nordics defense forces are small, but highly professional and with access to a lot of high-tech equipment. However, to leverage those assets, we need to combine C4ISR systems with easy-to-use AI applications, says Sehm.

AI can process vast amounts of data from various intelligence sources to quickly identify threats and provide actionable insights. The defense industry can integrate AI into NATO’s C4ISR systems to enhance data processing, automate threat recognition, and support decision-making processes, thus speeding up the OODA (observe, orient, decide, act) loop critical in modern warfare.

– IoMT generates vast amounts of data that need to be processed quickly. By processing data closer to where it is collected, edge computing reduces latency and allows for near-instant analytics. This is crucial for speeding up the entire OODA loop, ensuring that data does not have to be sent to a central server for processing, thus saving valuable time. This reduces latency, decreases bandwidth use, and enhances the speed and reliability of military decision-making, comments Helweg.

– I think we need to test more available technology to speed up our understanding of what works and how we can more easily share data and make those informed decisions. I would like to see an innovation program from the Nordic defense agencies that support and subsidize companies that want to test existing data process technology. Which in turn could allow our military to do more with less and to fight smarter than our opponent, adds Sehm.

– Ensuring that IoMT devices from different manufacturers can communicate and operate together seamlessly is crucial for military operations sound boring, but its critical. The defense industry should work more on creating and implementing universal standards and protocols that promote interoperability across various platforms and international borders, adds Helweg.

In addition to well-known defense capabilities, new threats and needs are emerging. Ivar Sehm points to a recent agreement between the Nordic countries, Great Britain, Germany and the Netherlands to increase the protection of subsea infrastructure.

– Both gas and oil infrastructure and telecom and power cables are vulnerable and must be monitored and protected. Again, as Data Respons has a lot of experience in digitalization of the oil and gas sector. That makes us well suited to contribute to developing solutions including autonomous subsea sensors, unmanned surface vehicles and communication technology tying it all together.

Also, Ivar Sehm is seeing new opportunities arising from Sweden and Finland joining NATO. Now the Nordics can begin to coordinate defense capabilities and spending even more. With more structural similarities cooperation will be easier, and as a supplier based in the Nordics, Data Respons is ideally positioned to contribute to new cross-border defense initiatives.

– I think NATO and the Nordics could benefit from establishing innovation hubs or incubators that bring together military experts, scientists, and technologists from the Nordic countries, and other member countries. These hubs can focus on rapid prototyping and the development of innovative solutions to emerging security challenges. Such as artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, says Sehm.